This is rich, but wonderfully comforting after a day outdoors in the brisk mountain air.
Ingredients:
6 cups cubed day-old bread (such as French bread or brioche)
2 large apples, peeled and cut into chunks
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream (some coconut cream as part of this would be delicious)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare the bread and apples.
Spread the cubed bread and diced apples evenly in the greased baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and apples, pressing down gently to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to soak.
Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the bread pudding.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with optional toppings, though it’s luscious all by itself.