I have a totally fun holiday recipe to share! This apple cranberry bread pudding is so delicious and can be made ahead of time.
What’s in this apple cranberry bread pudding?
It involves brioche, apples, cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. And while it bakes, it makes the house smell so, so good. Yep, it must be the holidays (yay!).
Today, we’re making apple cranberry bread pudding! And you guys, I have to be honest with you.
This is my first time making bread pudding, like, ever. I know, it’s absolutely absurd, but I can’t go back in time and change things, I can only move forward.
So today, I’m moving forward with bread pudding, and boy was I missing out. Not only is it delicious (this isn’t my first time eating bread pudding), but it’s so super simple to make.
Let’s just say this won’t be my last time making bread pudding.
The best crunchy topping!
Not only it packed with fluffy brioche, fresh fruit and yummy spices, it’s finished with the best-ever crunchy, oat-filled topping: granola! It takes bread pudding to the next level (that texture, tho), and is basically ready-to-eat crumble topping, all packaged up in a box, ready to roll.
The apples, cranberry and almond granola variety is perfect for holiday cooking (and just eating it straight out of the box), and bonus: it’s high in fiber and whole grains. You know I love that about it.
Also, I’m crazy for any dessert I can make and bake ahead of time, then finish baking right before the party.
And, any dessert that’s drizzled with maple syrup can also be considered breakfast. It’s a win-win!
Loving the idea of this Apple Cranberry Bread Pudding? You may also enjoy these recipes:
- Cranberry Sauce
- Maple Sweet Potato Soup
- Cranberry-Orange Glazed Turkey Breast + Apple Sausage Stuffing
- Brussels Sprouts Cranberry Salad
- Cranberry & Goat Cheese Stuffed Pears
Apple Cranberry Bread Pudding

The perfect fall or winter bread pudding made with brioche, apples, cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg! It’s so delicious and can be made ahead of time!
- Author: Julie Andrews
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 70 mins
- Yield: 12 Servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup brown sugar, divided
- 4 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 loaf brioche or sourdough bread, cubed
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 medium firm apples, diced
- 1 cup cranberries
- ½ orange, juiced
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup Quaker granola
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl whisk together eggs and ¼ cup brown sugar. Whisk in milk and vanilla extract.
- Place cubed bread in a greased 9×13 glass or ceramic baking dish. Pour milk mixture over the bread and stir to combine. Allow to sit 15-20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add apples, cranberries, remaining ¼ cup brown sugar and orange juice; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook 4-5 minutes, until fruit just starts to soften. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Pour apple/cranberry mixture over the bread mixture and stir to combine. Bake 40 minutes.
- In a small glass mixing bowl, melt remaining ½ tablespoon butter. Stir in granola to combine. Top bread mixture with granola mixture. Bake an additional 10-20 minutes, until top is puffed and light golden brown. Allow to slightly cool and serve with maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 266
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 297 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 74 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
Keywords: fresh, healthy, easy, simple, best, make ahead, do ahead, holiday, seasonal, fall, winter