Sweet Apricot Cranberry Noodle Pudding
Indulge in this delightful Sweet Apricot Cranberry Noodle Pudding, a cherished family recipe that perfectly blends rich flavors and comforting textures. Made with creamy sour cream and whipped cream cheese, paired with the sweet-tartness of dried cranberries and apricot preserves, this Lokshen Kugel is a versatile dish that shines as a side or a dessert. Enjoy it warm, fresh from the oven, or allow it to cool for a refreshing treat at any time of day. This dish is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a nostalgic favorite that evokes memories of family gatherings and celebrations.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Medium egg noodles
1 (16 ounce) package (Cooked to al dente)
Sour cream
1 (16 ounce) (Preferably Daisy brand)
Whipped cream cheese
1 (12 ounce) (No preparation necessary)
Apricot preserves
1 1/4 cups (Or 1-2 cups of sugar as an alternative)
Salt
2 teaspoons (No preparation necessary)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (No preparation necessary)
Ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (Or more, to taste)
Dried cranberries
1 cup (Craisins or similar)
Large eggs
3 (No preparation necessary)
Butter
1 tablespoon (For greasing pan)
Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
3-4 cups (Crushed)
Butter
3-4 tablespoons (Softened)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2
In a large pot, bring well-salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Make sure to shake off as much excess water as possible, then set them aside to dry further.
3
Take about half a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and crush it in a food processor until it’s partially broken down, resembling coarse crumbs. Alternatively, you can place the cereal in a zip-lock bag and crush it by hand.
4
In a medium bowl, combine the crushed cereal with the softened butter until the butter is evenly distributed. Set this mixture aside.
5
In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and beat them lightly. Add the sour cream, whipped cream cheese, salt, and vanilla extract. You can use an electric mixer or whisk by hand until everything is well combined; a few lumps are okay.
6
Stir in the apricot preserves and ground cinnamon to taste, ensuring the mixture has a pleasant sweetness.
7
Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish generously with butter to prevent sticking.
8
Check the noodles to ensure they are sufficiently dry. If they appear moist, place them on paper towels to absorb any excess water.
9
Transfer the dried noodles into the greased baking dish and pour the egg mixture over them. Gently stir to combine, ensuring the noodles are well-coated.
10
Fold in a handful or two of dried cranberries, adjusting to your preference for sweetness.
11
Sprinkle the crushed cereal topping evenly across the surface of the noodle mixture, ensuring complete coverage for a crisp crust.
12
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours. Baking time may vary depending on your oven; check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out mostly clean.
13
Monitor the top while baking. If it begins to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning. If the top isn’t as crusty as you desire, place it under the broiler for 1-3 minutes, watching closely for a golden-brown color and bubbling butter.
14
Once the kugel is beautifully browned and set in the center, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows it to firm up for easier slicing.
15
Serve warm or chilled, and enjoy this comforting dish with your family!
Nutrition Information
22g
Fat
42g
Carbs
7g
Protein
1.5g
Fiber
20g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweet Apricot Cranberry Noodle Pudding?
It is a cherished family recipe for Lokshen Kugel that blends egg noodles with creamy sour cream, whipped cream cheese, apricot preserves, and dried cranberries.
What are the primary ingredients in this dish?
The main ingredients include medium egg noodles, sour cream, whipped cream cheese, apricot preserves, dried cranberries, eggs, and a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal topping.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) before baking the pudding.
How should the egg noodles be prepared?
Cook the noodles in well-salted water until al dente, drain, rinse with cold water, and ensure they are dried thoroughly before mixing.
What is used for the crunchy topping?
The topping is made from 3-4 cups of crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal mixed with 3-4 tablespoons of softened butter.
Can I substitute the apricot preserves?
Yes, you can use 1-2 cups of sugar as an alternative to the 1 1/4 cups of apricot preserves.
What brand of sour cream is recommended?
The recipe suggests using the Daisy brand for the 16 ounces of sour cream.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 large eggs, beaten lightly.
What size baking dish should be used?
Use an 8x8-inch baking dish that has been generously greased with butter.
How long does the pudding need to bake?
Bake the noodle pudding uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your oven.
How do I check if the kugel is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean when the dish is fully cooked.
What should I do if the top browns too quickly?
If the top begins to brown too fast during the 1-1.5 hour baking time, cover it loosely with foil.
How can I make the topping extra crispy?
You can place the dish under the broiler for 1-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely for a golden-brown color.
Should the pudding rest before serving?
Yes, allow the kugel to rest for about 15 minutes after removing it from the oven to let it firm up for easier slicing.
Can this dish be served cold?
Yes, it can be enjoyed either warm or chilled as a refreshing treat.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 400 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 22g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
Each serving contains about 42g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in the pudding?
The dish provides 7g of protein per serving.
Is there fiber in this recipe?
Yes, there is approximately 1.5g of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in a serving?
There are 20g of sugar per serving.
What type of cream cheese is used?
The recipe specifies 12 ounces of whipped cream cheese.
What spices are included in the recipe?
The pudding includes 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (or more to taste).
Can I use a food processor for the topping?
Yes, you can use a food processor to partially break down the cereal into coarse crumbs.
Is this a side dish or a dessert?
This versatile dish works equally well as a side dish or a dessert.
What are the recommended tags for this recipe?
Tags include kugel, noodle pudding, apricot, cranberry, sweet dish, comfort food, and family recipe.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 ingredients in total used to prepare this dish.
Should the noodles be wet when mixed with the eggs?
No, you should ensure the noodles are dry, using paper towels to absorb excess moisture if necessary.
How much ground cinnamon is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon, but you can add more to taste.
What kind of cranberries should I buy?
Dried cranberries such as Craisins or a similar brand are recommended.