Caramel Apple Bread Pudding: A Cozy Dessert Delight

Indulge in the ultimate comfort dessert with this Caramel Apple Bread Pudding. Combining chunks of bread, sweet apples, and a luscious caramel sauce, this dish is baked to perfection and topped with a drizzle of icing glaze. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating this delicious treat.

Ingredients

For the Bread Pudding:

• 8 cups (480g) day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (French or brioche recommended)
• 3 large apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

For the Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (55g) unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Icing Glaze:

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bread Pudding

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes and diced apples. Toss to distribute evenly.
3. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Pour the custard mixture over the bread and apples, pressing down gently to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Bake the Pudding

1. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
2. Bake for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce

1. In a saucepan, heat the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and amber in color.
2. Carefully add the heavy cream and butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Prepare the Icing Glaze

1. In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with milk until smooth and drizzle-able.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

1. Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the baked bread pudding.
2. Add a final touch with the icing glaze for extra sweetness.
3. Serve warm and enjoy the rich flavors and gooey textures!

Tips for Success

• Use slightly stale bread to better absorb the custard mixture.
• Choose tart apples to balance the sweetness of the caramel and glaze.
• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.

This Caramel Apple Bread Pudding is a delightful combination of warm spices, sweet caramel, and juicy apples, making it the perfect dessert for family gatherings, holidays, or cozy nights in. Try it today and savor every bite of this comforting treat!