Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Butter or grease an oven-proof 2 qt. square casserole dish.
Beat the egg whites until foamy.
Gradually beat in 1/3 cup of the white granulated sugar and pure vanilla extract. Beat the egg mixture just until it becomes stiff. Do not overbeat.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks together until they thicken. 5 Lu
In another separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/3 cup of white granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon until combined.
Gradually add the sugar cinnamon mixture to the egg yolks beating until the mixture is very thick and ribbons form when you pull the beaters away.
Gently fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites mixture.
Fold the cubed rye bread into the combined egg white and yolks mixture. Sprinkle half the fresh cranberries on the bottom of the buttered dish.
Spread one-third of the egg bread mixture over the berries, then sprinkle half the chocolate chips over the egg and bread mixture. Cover this with another third of the bread mixture. Sprinkle the rest of the cranberries on top of that then cover the cranberries with the remaining third of the bread mixture. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the chocolate chips on top.