Holiday Bread Pudding

Warm, cinnamon-kissed, and made for serving a crowd, this Holiday Bread Pudding brings cozy comfort straight to the cafeteria. As it bakes, the rich aroma of maple and spice drifts through the halls, creating that unmistakable holiday moment that draws students in with its just right sweetness and festive flair.

Made to serve 100, this dish is a warm, flavorful classic and provides 2 Grain and ½ cup Fruit per serving, keeping wellness in mind and participation high.

Whether you are planning a special seasonal menu or looking to make use of ingredients already on hand, this bread pudding is a smart, aroma-filled way to bring holiday comfort to the lunch line.

Cozy meets convenience in this easy, soak and bake spin on a beloved dessert-style favorite. Whole grain bread brings hearty texture, while Zee Zees Mixzees® deliver natural sweetness, fruity brightness, and fiber, helping balance flavor without depending heavily on added sugar. After baking, a drizzle of maple syrup finishes each pan with warm, rich, unmistakable holiday magic.

The not-so-secret superstar behind this dish is Zee Zees Mixzees® (#624809).

Mixzees® deliver the winter magic moment of this recipe by bringing the perfect blend of dried fruit sweetness, chewy texture, and fiber for overall wellness. Its natural flavors shine through the warm cinnamon base and help keep added sugar lower than traditional bread pudding recipes while giving students the fruity notes they love.

Combined with whole grain bread, vanilla, cinnamon, and maple, Mixzees® transform this familiar recipe into a festive, better-for-you favorite that still feels indulgent.

This recipe checks every box for busy school kitchens: simple prep, big yield, and kid-approved flavor. It uses staple ingredients you likely already have on hand, making it a great option for reducing food waste while still delivering something special.

Here is why it works so well:

• Easy prep for large batches
  Cube your bread, whisk your custard, mix, and chill. Overnight soaking maximizes moisture and ensures every bite is rich and flavorful.
• No day-old bread? No problem
  Just bake fresh bread at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes to dry it out.
• Perfectly portioned
  Simply cut each of the four pans into 5 × 5 slices and serve.
• Optional vanilla sauce for extra magic
  We included an additional warm, seasonal vanilla sauce for those who want to elevate the experience even more.

Whether served warm on a winter morning or featured as a special occasion treat, this Holiday Bread Pudding brings comfort, wholesomeness, and a bit of nostalgia to the tray without complicating your workflow.

This crowd-pleasing dessert style bake comes together with a handful of pantry staples, and the cozy flavors students love.

• 16 lb 10 oz   -  Day-Old Whole Wheat Bread, Sliced into 1-inch Cubes
• 3 1/4 gallons   -  Low Fat Milk
• 4 dozen   -  Large Eggs
• 2 cups   -  Maple Syrup
• 3/4 cup   -  Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup   -  Ground Cinnamon
• 8 lb 5 oz   -  Zee Zees Mixzees® (Cafeteria Case #624809)

Bring warm, cinnamon maple bliss to your menu with this holiday ready favorite. The full recipe with complete, step by step directions is ready for you to download and use today. From the first whiff of spice to the last drizzle of maple, this is one dish sure to make the season feel special in every cafeteria.