Sometimes fate has a hand in the kitchen. I had a lovely bread pudding recipe picked out for the holidays. It was simple and sounded delicious. All I needed was a package of Hawaiian bread. That seemed like a simple enough task until I realized that there is none to be found on the isle of Manhattan.
Moments after that realization, I found this recipe in an ad for Smucker’s in a food magazine. I had bread pudding on the brain, so I was immediately drawn to it. When I realized that it was made with croissants, I remembered the French bakery we had recently stumbled upon in our neighborhood. All signs pointed to making this.
This recipe is one of the easiest things I’ve made. You can easily have it put together and in the oven in 15 minutes. The best part is the return on your time investment. This is seriously good. Quinn has declared it one of his favorite desserts.
I am anxious to try this again with a different preserve variety. I can imagine it with cherry or strawberry or apple. Other than that, my only modification might be to add more cinnamon. My one plea to you is to find some especially good croissants to use. That may be the biggest challenge for some for making this, but it’s worth it. You can thank me later.
Ingredients
- 2 extra large croissants
- 1/2 cup blueberry preserves
- 3 large eggs
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- confectioners sugar or whipped cream for garnish, if desired
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
Cut croissants in half lengthwise. Spread about 1 tablespoon of preserves on each half. Replace tops, and cut croissants into small strips. Place strips in baking pan. Dab remaining preserves on top.
Whisk eggs, then whisk in milk, water, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour mixture over croissants. Press croissants into liquid if necessary. Let set for 5 minutes.
Bake until a knife or pick inserted in the center comes out clean (about 45 minutes). Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar or whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Smucker's.
December 21st, 2010 at 6:37 am
Its the first time I have seen a bread pudding recipe that has condensed milk. Sounds amazing. In one of the Masterchef Australia episodes one of the contestants made bread pudding with croissant and it was a hit:)
December 21st, 2010 at 6:46 am
What a great recipe- never made bread pudding, but I love the idea of blueberries!
December 21st, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Saw one of the Food Network chefs make a croissant bread pudding once. Looked sinful. I’m thinking of taking it in a different, Christmas-y direction with panettone. Though I’m equally open to buttery croissants the rest of the year!
Cheers,
*Heather*
December 21st, 2010 at 1:09 pm
OMG; this looks so good! I’ve been searching for things to make for Christmas brunch. This looks like it may make the final menu!
December 21st, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Bread pudding is so good straight out of the oven, with some cream or ice cream. That looks mouth watering!
December 21st, 2010 at 3:27 pm
I had the opposite problem. I needed croissants but Costco did not have one pack left and all I could find was Hawaiian bread. Not that it matters as both make delicious Bread Pudding and French Toast.
December 21st, 2010 at 5:45 pm
You know, come to think of it, I have NEVER seen hawaiian rolls in NYC. Weird. They were definitely readily available in Boston!
Love the sound of this bread pudding. Croissants must add even MORE richness to it, if that were possible!
December 22nd, 2010 at 7:05 am
sounds great
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
I love to make bread pudding in the evening with any leftover bread I have on hand and refrigerate it for the morning. I love the idea of adding the preserves.
December 25th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
This was SO good. Made this for my family using the 4 Red Berry Preserves from Le Pain Quotidien and a giant box of Costco croissants. It was an unbelievable hit! One of my aunts even whispered to me that she had three helpings! I was a tiny bit concerned of the condensed milk making it too sweet but it really wasn’t bad at all. Ridiculously easy to make too. I served it with some home made vanilla bean icing. This one is a keeper. I did however make this in a 9×13 pan so I increased each of the ingredients maybe by about 1/3rd more and it worked out perfectly. THANK YOU and Happy Holidays!!!
December 25th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
correction for above on the icing.. I meant to say ice cream
December 26th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Mmm, croissant bread pudding–I would never have thought to make that. It must taste delightfully buttery!
Nisrine
December 27th, 2010 at 2:15 am
Buttery croissants must make this so rich and decadent. Happy holidays!
December 28th, 2010 at 8:31 am
I don’t even know where to begin – this looks incredible. I must try it. Thanks for sharing!
January 1st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Thank you for such a wonderful recipe. Once I saw it I knew I had to make it. Had a brunch gathering at my house yesterday to kick off the festivities and this dish was a huge hit. Everyone asking for the recipe. Thinking of making it with semisweet chocolate next time instead of the blueberries just to satisfy my chocolaholic.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:22 am
Ooh this looks so good! A true tasty treat
January 4th, 2011 at 4:59 am
This looks divine! What a wonderful dessert. I’ve seen similar recipes incorporating chocolate, but I think blueberries would be perfect too.
January 7th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I just made this, using sour cherry jam and almond extract instead of vanilla. It was DIVINE. My family of 4 devoured it in one sitting. This is my new go-to brunch recipe!
January 13th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
I have always been a little unsure about bread pudding, but this looks absolutely wonderful. I can’t wait to give it a try.
February 21st, 2011 at 4:28 pm
This looks tasty. I’ll try to get my GF to try out the recipe. She is running her own food blog now and is looking for new things to try and make.
March 8th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
All I can say is WOW that looks so delicious!! I really want to give this a try the next time I go home I think my mom would really like it!
March 17th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
This looks incredible! Your blog is definitely inspiring me to cook something, so glad I found it
May 10th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Would you share the Hawaiian bread pudding recipe also? This one looks fabulous!!!
May 11th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Betsy, I’m afraid I’ve lost track of that recipe. If I find it, I’ll pass it along to you.