This year, my White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding Bites are making another debut. Yes, my friends, they are so delicious they are back by popular demand (from my kids). While I’ve made them quite a few times for dessert and they are always a winner, this holiday they’ll be making a special breakfast appearance.
At my house, Christmas morning is the one morning out of the year that everyone is happy to wake up early. And every year, I think of new special recipes to make for my family that can be made ahead of time so they can bake while we sit back, savor another cup of coffee while the kids open presents.
The combination of light, fluffy bread pudding with bits of cranberries, fresh hints of orange, and a dreamy glaze of white chocolate (my kids’ suggestion) was one morning breakfast they’ve often asked for.
When these bite-sized pieces of goodness come out of the oven, you’ll be smitten. They are everything you’d want from a bread pudding recipe without the guilt –unless you go back to the pan for seconds, thirds…
What I love about this recipe is that it allows me to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with my kids on Christmas morning (or any weekend morning). I can make the mixture the night before, scoop it into a mini muffin pan, and refrigerate. In the morning, the oven preheats while the coffee is brewing and they bake while we open gifts.
I love watching my kids’ big smiles and joyful squeals as they unwrap each gift. And with a recipe that I can prep-ahead like this one, it allows me to be 100% present where it matters. It really doesn’t get any better than this my friends. The aromas of freshly baked bread pudding bites will fill your house quickly!
Once the mini bread puddings are finished, I’ll make a homemade white chocolate drizzle for the bites. Of course, the extra drizzle is optional and can be omitted, especially if you are not patient enough to keep a watchful eye on the white chocolate and stir it every 20 seconds to make sure it doesn’t burn if you use the microwave method (another reason I prefer the double boiler method).
Who knew a snacking and lunchbox staple could make such a wonderful breakfast treat! Of course, they also work as perfectly portioned, festive dessert. If you are still here and your mouth isn’t watering yet, give these another look.
From here, it looks like it’s going to be a very merry everything.
PrintWhite Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding Bites
These Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding Bites are light and fluffy with bits of cranberries and hints of orange, all in one bite!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24-count
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3 eggs large eggs
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 8 slices bread, cubed small
- ½ cup white chocolate chips, divided
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325, and grease a 24-count mini muffin cup pan with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add the butter, milk, cream, sugar, nutmeg, vanilla extract, eggs, and orange zest and whisk to combine. Add cubed bread into the large bowl and toss around so that all cubes can absorb the liquid. Add dried cranberries and half of the chocolate chips. Toss mixture to combine ingredients.
- Using a cookie scooper, transfer mixture into greased mini muffin pan. Fill all cups generously, making sure all liquid is distributed evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 17 minutes, until the tops are golden and the bread puddings are cooked through. Remove from oven.
- In a double boiler, add water at the bottom, place top broiler, and melt chocolate and coconut oil while stirring. Lightly drizzle over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
If using a microwave to melt chocolate chips, carefully stirring every 20 seconds to make sure chocolate doesn’t burn. White chocolate isn’t as forgiving as traditional semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bread pudding bites
- Calories: 381
- Sugar: 31.9g
- Sodium: 265.4mg
- Fat: 16.9g
- Saturated Fat: 9.3g
- Carbohydrates: 50.5g
- Fiber: 1.9g
- Protein: 9.6g
- Cholesterol: 117.5mg
Jen
I made these tonight and loved them! I got to use up some cranberries that have been sitting around forever but I love white chocolate even more 🙂 These are the perfect warm breakfast/snack/dessert!!! Thank you Laura!
★★★★★
Erin
Looking forward to trying these! We have a coconut allergy at my house. What is the best alternative oil for melting with the white chocolate for the glaze?
Laura Fuentes
Hi Erin, you can omit the coconut oil. It just smooths it out a little more. Using the double broiler method will work best since white chocolate tends to burn quickly. You’ll be fine without it. Enjoy!
Asheley
I found these at my local Whole Foods, in case anyone is wondering. They were good. I gave them a test run without the drizzle. I might be making these for Christmas day… great recipe!
★★★★★
Jolene Jones
I can’t wait to try these. they look amazing!!!
Matt
These are amazing!
★★★★★
Andrea
I made these last night for this morning’s breakfast. Like you always tell us, I prepared the batter the night before and this morning I scooped and baked. I am not going to frost them but they are amazing!!!
★★★★★
Anna
I LOVE OZERY rounds! I have the apples one in my pantry. Going to try to make these for snack with those and just add in raisins instead of cranberries and cinnamon… great idea!
★★★★★
Selena
These look amazing Laura! I am going to have to try these rounds. thanks!
★★★★★