Berry Bread Pudding: Guaranteed Fluffy!

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Craving a comforting, warm dessert that’s both easy to make and impressive enough for company? Look no further than this Berry Bread Pudding recipe! I’ve perfected a simple trick to ensure it’s never dense or heavy, but always incredibly fluffy and bursting with juicy berry flavor. This is the perfect way to transform stale bread into a delightful treat that everyone will love. A guaranteed hit!

Why You’ll Love This Berry Bread Pudding

This isn’t your grandma’s heavy, brick-like bread pudding! Here’s why this recipe is a guaranteed winner:

Fluffy Texture: The secret is in the soaking time! This ensures a light and airy bread pudding that practically melts in your mouth.
Bursting with Berries: The combination of raspberries and blackberries provides a delicious tartness that perfectly complements the sweetness of the pudding.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can create this delightful dessert.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a special brunch, this bread pudding is always a crowd-pleaser.
Uses Stale Bread: A fantastic way to use up bread that’s past its prime, reducing food waste and creating something delicious.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Berry Bread Pudding

Let’s talk about what makes this berry bread pudding so special – the ingredients! We’re aiming for a custardy, fluffy base studded with juicy, slightly tart berries. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving this perfect balance of flavors and textures.

First, you’ll need the foundation of our pudding: the bread. We’re using challah bread, as its eggy richness and slightly sweet flavor complements the berries beautifully. The crusts are removed to ensure a tender texture throughout. Here’s the breakdown:

6 cups cubed challah bread, crusts removed: Challah is key for its texture and subtle sweetness. If you don’t have challah, brioche or even a sturdy French bread will work, but challah truly elevates the dish. Day-old bread is perfect for soaking.

Next, we create the rich and creamy custard that binds everything together. The combination of eggs, milk, and heavy cream is what creates that luxurious texture, while the sugar and vanilla add the perfect touch of sweetness. Salt helps balance out the sweetness, bringing all the flavors together. Here’s what you’ll need for the custard base:

4 large eggs: These provide structure and richness to the custard.
2 cups milk: Adds moisture and helps create the custard base.
1 cup heavy cream: For an extra layer of richness and a velvety smooth texture.
1/2 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the pudding and helps create a caramelized top.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the other flavors and adds a warm, comforting aroma.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.

Finally, we have the stars of the show: the berries! A mix of raspberries and blackberries provides a beautiful color and a delightful tartness that cuts through the richness of the custard. The melted butter adds a final touch of richness and helps the top of the bread pudding brown beautifully.

2 cups mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries): Fresh or frozen berries work well. If using frozen, no need to thaw them beforehand. You could also experiment with other berries like blueberries or strawberries! For a little extra flair, consider using the candied citrus from our cranberry relish recipe as a garnish.
2 tablespoons butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the top brown beautifully.

Crafting Your Berry Bread Pudding: Step-by-Step

Now for the fun part: putting it all together! Don’t be intimidated; this recipe is incredibly forgiving. The key is to follow the steps carefully, especially the soaking time, which is crucial for achieving that guaranteed fluffy texture.

Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). While the oven is heating, grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the bread pudding from sticking and ensures easy removal after baking.
Prepare the Bread: Spread the cubed challah bread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Ensure the bread is in a single layer for even soaking.
Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined. Whisking ensures that all ingredients are properly incorporated, creating a smooth and consistent custard.
Soak the Bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, making sure all the bread is moistened. Gently press the bread down into the liquid. This is the most important step! Let it sit for 15 minutes to soak. This allows the bread to absorb the custard, resulting in a soft and fluffy texture after baking. Don’t skip this step!
Add the Berries: Dot the top of the soaked bread pudding with the mixed berries, distributing them evenly. This ensures that every bite is bursting with juicy berry flavor.
Drizzle with Butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the bread pudding. This adds richness and helps the top brown to a beautiful golden color.
Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
Cool and Serve: Let the bread pudding cool slightly before serving. This allows the custard to set further and prevents it from being too runny.

Tips for Perfect Berry Bread Pudding Every Time

Want to ensure your berry bread pudding is a smashing success? Here are a few pro tips to keep in mind:

Don’t overbake: Overbaking will result in a dry, dense bread pudding. The bread pudding is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Use day-old bread: Day-old bread is slightly drier, which allows it to absorb the custard more effectively. If you only have fresh bread, you can lightly toast it in the oven to dry it out slightly.
Get creative with berries: Feel free to experiment with different types of berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, or even a mix of all three!
Add a citrus zest: A little lemon or orange zest can add a bright, fresh flavor to the bread pudding.
Storage: Leftover bread pudding can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

Optional: A touch of spice

For a warmer, cozier flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard mixture. This adds a comforting aroma and complements the berry flavors beautifully.

Your Berry Bread Pudding Questions Answered (FAQ)

Still have questions about making the perfect berry bread pudding? Here are some common questions and answers:

Can I use frozen berries?

Yes, you can definitely use frozen berries! There’s no need to thaw them beforehand; just toss them in frozen. Using frozen berries might slightly increase the baking time, so keep an eye on it.

Can I make this bread pudding ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the bread pudding up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Add the berries just before baking.

What if I don’t have challah bread?

While challah is ideal, you can substitute it with brioche, croissants, or even a sturdy French bread. Just keep in mind that the texture and flavor might be slightly different. A golden cloud bread would also be a delightful choice.

Can I add other fruits or nuts?

Yes! Sliced peaches, apples, or pears would be delicious additions. Chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, can also add a nice crunch. If you are looking for another use for nuts, you can make a walnut fudge recipe.

How do I prevent the bread pudding from getting soggy?

The key is to use slightly stale bread and to not oversoak it. The 15-minute soaking time in this recipe is designed to prevent sogginess while still ensuring a fluffy texture. Also, be sure not to overbake the bread pudding, which can also contribute to a soggy texture.

Enjoy Your Homemade Berry Bread Pudding!

There you have it: a guaranteed-fluffy berry bread pudding recipe that’s sure to impress. The combination of the soft, custardy base, the juicy berries, and the simple steps makes this dessert a true winner. Now it’s your turn to try it out! Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. And if you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to share it with your friends and family!