Christmas Cherry and Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is a rich, comforting holiday dessert layered with buttery bread cubes, tangy cream cheese, and sweet cherries baked in a creamy custard. It’s festive, indulgent, and perfect for warming up family gatherings during the holiday season. Serve it fresh out of the oven with whipped cream or a drizzle of custard sauce for a true Christmas treat.
Ingredients (Serves 12):
-
8 cups cubed day-old brioche or challah bread
-
8 oz cream cheese (softened, cut into small cubes)
-
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
-
5 large eggs
-
2 cups whole milk
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
¾ cup sugar
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
½ tsp ground cinnamon
-
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
-
2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted, for greasing and drizzling)
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Method:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
-
Spread half of the bread cubes in the dish, followed by cream cheese cubes, then spoon over half of the cherry pie filling. Top with the remaining bread cubes and the rest of the cherries.
-
In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
-
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and cherries. Gently press down with a spatula to help the bread soak in the liquid. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
-
Drizzle the top with melted butter and cover loosely with foil. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center.
-
Cool for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Tips: Use slightly stale bread for best texture, as it absorbs custard better. For extra holiday flair, add ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts before baking. This dish can be prepared ahead of time—assemble and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh the next day. Pair with vanilla ice cream or custard sauce for a luxurious finish.
Nutrition per Serving (1 of 12):
-
Calories: 330 kcal
-
Protein: 7 g
-
Carbohydrates: 40 g
-
Fat: 16 g
-
Fiber: 1 g
-
Sugars: 27 g
-
Calcium: 10% DV
-
Vitamin A: 12% DV
-
Iron: 7% DV
