Baked Apple Bread Pudding
/
I’m back in the Circle B Kitchen, having returned from 2 weeks with my son and daughter-in-law, living in Grandma bliss with my newborn grandson. I will not even try to tell you how difficult it was to part with this little guy who has so completely and totally wrapped himself around my heart. But I will tell you that it is always good to get back home, and I’ve been happily re-united with my chickens and my kitchen, and oh, yes, The Husband. Missed him. A lot.
But even so, I find myself longing for that warm little body that snuggles so easily into whatever space my arms create and that newborn baby smell that is indescribably intoxicating. Consolation is in order and what, I ask, is more comforting than bread pudding? Nothing, really, unless it’s a lovely baked apple bread pudding.
Oh my ever lovin’ goodness is this ever scrumptious. There is no way to be sad about anything with a meltingly creamy bread pudding studded with apples and brown sugar in front of you. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face and cure all the problematic little things in your life with just one spoonful. Guaranteed.
Not much else to say about this, except that if you have some bread, a few eggs, a little milk and an apple in your house, you’re that much closer to a luscious bowl of soothing goodness. Here’s the recipe…
BAKED APPLE BREAD PUDDING
Click here for a printable recipe
This is a super delicious take on traditional bread pudding. You can totally personalize this one to your own tastes by adding more or less apple, depending on whether you would like the apple or the bread to be more dominant. Chop the apples fine if you would like them soft and sort of blended with the pudding, or cut them in larger chunks if you would like them more pronounced. Add more cinnamon if you like too. This is a very forgiving recipe, so play with it and make it your own.
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups bread cubes (country-style bread works best)
1 or 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
Topping:
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
Whipping cream and cinnamon sugar for serving
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Use 1/2 tablespoon butter (or cooking spray) to grease a 2-quart baking dish and set aside.
Pour the milk into a large bowl. Add the vanilla, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Add the bread and let stand until it is softened, about 10 to 20 minutes, depending upon the dryness of the bread. Stir in the chopped apples.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Mix the cinnamon and brown sugar together and sprinkle over the bread mixture. Cut the 2 tablespoons of butter into little pieces and scatter them over the top.
Bake for about 45 minutes or until the pudding puffs and turns golden. Remove from the oven and let stand about 10 minutes before serving.
To serve, top with whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
Serves 6 to 8
