Decadent Panettone Bread Pudding Recipe Easy 5-Step Holiday Dessert
A rich and comforting bread pudding made with airy Italian panettone, soaked in a creamy custard with bursts of citrus and sweet fruit, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) panettone bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old preferred)
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 4 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 medium orange
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) butter, melted
- Optional add-ins: chopped nuts (pistachios or walnuts), dark chocolate chips, splash of orange liqueur (Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish lightly.
- Cut about 1 pound (450 g) of panettone into 1-inch cubes. Use day-old panettone or let fresh panettone dry slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 beaten eggs, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and the zest of one orange until smooth.
- Place panettone cubes into the buttered baking dish. Pour custard evenly over the bread, pressing gently to help absorption. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Dot the top with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden and custard is set but slightly jiggly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Let the bread soak in the custard for at least 15 minutes for a creamy texture. Use room temperature eggs for smooth custard. Cover with foil during baking to prevent over-browning. Add nuts or chocolate chips during last 10 minutes of baking if desired. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute milk and cream with plant-based alternatives and eggs with flax eggs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of the dish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Protein: 8
Keywords: panettone bread pudding, holiday dessert, easy bread pudding, Italian dessert, custard bread pudding, festive dessert