Description
Apple Bread Pudding is a comforting and cozy dessert perfect for fall, featuring crusty French bread soaked in a spiced custard with juicy apples and crunchy walnuts. Baked until golden and topped with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce, this easy-to-make treat combines warm flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and orange zest for a deliciously satisfying finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- ½ loaf French bread (about ½ lb)
- 2 cups apple, diced with skin on (about 1 large apple)
- ½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
Custard
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup honey
- 1 orange, zested
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan: Grease a 7 x 11”, 9 x 9”, or 8 x 8” baking pan to prevent sticking and make removal easier after baking.
- Cut the bread: Slice the French bread into ¾-inch thick cubes and place them evenly in the greased baking pan.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and honey together until smooth. Add the milk, orange zest, ground cardamom, cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt. Whisk all the ingredients until fully combined for a well-spiced custard.
- Combine custard and bread: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Optionally, you can place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth to create a uniform custard before pouring.
- Add apples and walnuts: Sprinkle the diced apples and chopped walnuts evenly on top of the soaked bread, pressing gently with a spatula to embed them slightly into the custard-soaked bread.
- Chill the mixture: Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard and flavors fully.
- Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake the pudding: Remove the plastic wrap and place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the custard is fully set and firm to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool for at least 15 minutes to set further. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce for a rich and decadent finish.
Notes
- Apple bread pudding is a classic fall dessert featuring juicy apples and warm spices, perfect for cozy gatherings.
- Using crusty French bread gives the pudding a nice texture as it absorbs the custard without becoming too mushy.
- The custard’s aromatic spices of cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger add depth and warmth to the dessert.
- Refrigerating the mixture overnight enhances flavor absorption and texture.
- Serving with vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, or caramel sauce adds a delicious creamy or sweet contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 231 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg
