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Craisins Dried Cranberries are not just for snacking on!  I’ve used them in Orange Craisins Dried Cranberries Waffles which I then turned into Orange Craisins Waffle Bread Puddingg!  It’s perfect for the holidays or ANYTIME!

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If you’re like me, all of your holiday parties were last week.  That means that you’ve probably eaten more than your fair share of cocktail meatballs, Buffalo chicken dip, glazed ham or turkey, and various cookies, pies or cakes.  Wow.  I just feel stuffed thinking about it!

And since Christmas and New Years are just around the corner, there’s more food to be eaten.  I can feel pounds just adding on thinking about the roast beef, potatoes, cheesecake, and steamed pudding I’ll be making for our Christmas dinner.  Then there’s the ham, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes for New Years.

Too.much.food.

This year for breakfast, I thought I’d whip up something interesting and different this year.  Something delicious, with a bit if kick, that’s wholesome, hearty, and packed with fruit!  Orange Craisins® Dried Cranberries Waffles!  They’re sweet, they’re tangy, and they’re so easy to whip up for any breakfast.

I just love the way the waffle iron looks when it’s cooking up a batch of waffles!  All steamy and what not!  Then I remembered that the hubs isn’t much of a waffle or breakfast sweets eater.  How did I miss this when we were dating?  So, now what I’m to do with all these waffles?  Well, what any food blogger would do with left over bread products?  I know, say it with me!

BREAD PUDDING!

Yup.  I took those waffles and made bread pudding out of them.  But not just any bread pudding, I added in more orange flavor and Craisins® Dried Cranberries to the already delicious orange Craisins® Dried Cranberries waffles.  This made the bread pudding packed with even more flavor.  As if that was even possible!

So, did you know that Craisins® Dried Cranberries are not only packed with flavor, but they’re also packed with lots of servings of fruit?  Did you know that just a quarter cup of Craisins® Dried Cranberries packs a half a fruit serving?  I most certainly did not.  And since I just love the way they taste, now I have even more reason to eat them.  I just love sprinkling them in my oatmeal, on salads, in waffles and muffins, in granola mix, or just straight up eat them plain out of the package.  They’re healthier to nibble on than chips, that’s for sure!  And their flavor just packs a punch in your mouth that wakes up your taste buds.

If you’re new to Craisins® Dried Cranberries, they come in many sizes that are perfect for your snacking needs.  I usually purchase the 10 ounce bag, but you can get as little as 5 and as large as 24 ounces!  I wonder how long that would take me to eat.  They even have some little boxes for kids’ lunches or to carry with you wherever you go!

Did you know that Craisins® Dried Cranberries aren’t just cranberry flavored either?  Though au natural is my favorite flavor.  They also come in cherry, blueberry, and pomegranate flavors.  They also have a reduced sugar version.  Don’t forget their Craisins® Dried Cranberries fruit clusters, too!  They’re like little granola bites of tangy goodness perfect for an afternoon snack pick me up.  Or just a little nosh while you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen with Craisins® Dried Cranberries.

With all the different flavors, sizes, and options, there’s no excuse!  They’re easily located in your grocery with the other dried fruits.  Since I shop at WalMart, I know exactly where to find these babies!  I’m down that row often picking up some fruit nibbles for the pup and well, more Craisins® Dried Cranberries for me!

Okay, enough about the tart and tangy Craisins® Dried Cranberries.  Back to this bread pudding!

Since the waffles are made, in part, with whole wheat flour, and I’ve cut the fat content some, these waffles by themselves are hearty enough for any loved one.  You won’t have to worry if they eat one extra.  Even turning them into bread pudding, I’ve used a low fat milk and cream and used part real eggs and part egg substitute.  Granted, it’s not going to be as rich as with full fat version, and you’re more than welcome to make it that way, but for us we have to watch the cholesterol count.

You’re not going to miss that richness one bit because I’ve combined these lovely little Craisins® Dried Cranberries with the punch of orange zest.  You can’t say this is a bland dessert.  Not at all!!  In fact, you’re going to say you want to make this repeatedly.  Because I know I do.

Seriously, just look at that little red gem sitting there!  Don’t tell me can’t wait to grab the fork and take that bite!  It’s so full of sweet, tangy, zest, hearty, healthy, fruit filled goodness that your guests will ask for this time and time again!  And, since it’s made of waffles, you could easily serve it for brunch!!

Since I love Craisins® Dried Cranberries and can’t wait to find out what they’re up to, I follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  I don’t want to miss the release of a new flavor or some new clusters!!  Do you?  Then follow them, too!!  They share delicious recipes, ideas to incorporate Craisins® Dried Cranberries in your holiday recipes and everyday recipes for that matter!

How do you use Craisins® Dried Cranberries in your cooking?  What’s your favorite flavor?

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Yield: 8 servings

Orange Dried Cranberry Waffle Bread Pudding

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Craisins® Dried Cranberries are not just for snacking! I've used them in Orange Dried Cranberry Waffles which I then turned into Orange Dried Cranberry Waffle Bread Pudding! It's perfect for the holidays or ANYTIME!

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Ingredients

For the Waffles:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, divided
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoons orange zest
• 1/2 cup Craisins® Dried Cranberries

For the Pudding:

• 1 cup Craisins® Dried Cranberries
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup cream

Instructions

Prepare the waffles (the day before):

1. Preheat a waffle iron.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours with the baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks with the next five ingredients (milk through zest) Set aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or large metal bowl) beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
5. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the egg yolk mixture. Stir until combined.
6. Fold in the egg whites and Craisins® Dried Cranberries until just incorporated.
7. Lightly spray the waffle iron and fill 1/4 to 1/3 cup full and cook, according to manufacturer’s directions. Repeat with remaining batter. Once cooked, store them in a zip top plastic bag overnight.

Prepare the custard (the day of):

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cut the waffles in half and place in a casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle the waffles with the Craisins® Dried Cranberries and set aside.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the eggs, orange juice, sugar, salt, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
4. Place the milk and cream in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Scald the mixture until bubbles begin to form around the edges of the pan. Remove from heat.
5. Stirring constantly, slowly pour one ladle of the milk mixture into the egg mixture to allow it to temper the eggs. Carefully pour the remaining milk mixture into the egg mixture.
6. To ensure there are no lumps in the custard mixture, strain through a fine sieve. Once strained, slowly pour the custard mixture over the waffles. Press the waffles into the mixture for several minutes to ensure that the custard is absorbed.
7. Bake covered at 350 for 45 to 60 minutes or until the custard is cooked through. Cool slightly before slicing and serving garnished with an orange peel and an additional sprinkle of Craisins® Dried Cranberries.

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