Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Dried Cranberries and Maple Whipped Cream

The only thing the following pumpkin bread pudding has in common with any of the ancient steaming cannonballs of suet, raisins, bread, and spices is that it, too, is made for the holidays, although this recipe is actually equally appropriate for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If egg bread is not available, any white bread will do, but avoid using a dense or underproofed bread, as the custard may not penetrate all the way through.