They’re baaaaack!
This post is sponsored by Crunch Time Apple Growers. The opinions and text are all mine.
How fortunate I was to have a small bucketful of SnapDragons left. And again, as delicious as these babies are straight from the fridge all cold and crunchy, or as perfect as they are woven into the layers of a seasonal salad that’s loaded up with spinach, cranberries, chicken and feta, I knew it was time to add a little heat. I was in the mood for homey and nostalgic…
Bread pudding! Of course!
Now, this is not a dessert we ate growing up. Don’t get me wrong – Mom was on it when it came to desserts. Chocolate cake, peanut butter cookies, lemon meringue pie, rum cake – you get the picture – we were never at a loss for sweet treats – however – Mom is a real, shall we say, texture girl. And for her, the thought of soaking bread in a sweet custard, rendering it well, a little bit squashy, would never fly. Ever. Even though it cooks into the most luxurious French toasty soft and cinnamony comforting plate of goodness – it was never going to happen.
And because of that, I think I too was a little bit afraid of it until I had no choice but to try it.
I was invited for a girls’ weekend in the Adirondack’s some year’s ago. Three friends and I packed up our gear and outdoorsy clothes for an autumn weekend that proved beyond fun. There was hiking, boating, kayaking and a silly board game that created so much laughter my side still hurts; and of course, food – amazing food.
We all contributed a portion of the meal. I brought my favorite cranberry pecan cracker spread aka Thanksgiving on a cracker (thank you, Karen!), the others filled in the pieces with good wine and hearty sides, while our host took care of the entree and of course dessert.
Enter – bread pudding.
Since I’m sharing a bread pudding recipe today I probably don’t need to tell you how much I loved it. Actually, make that Loved with a capital L.
I used Italian bread today, though you could use any of your favorites, and I kept the crusts for a little more ‘texture’ (Mom would be happy – nahhhh) but this dessert using my favorite SnapDragon apples makes for one special holiday treat.
And speaking of treats… Use the Rafflecopter below the recipe to enter and get a kick start on your holiday shopping! The giveaway runs until November 22, there will be 3 winners, each winning a $200 gift card, apples, an apple slicer and an apron. How perfect is that?
If you’re a lover of French toast or cozy cooking, apples and maple or delicious food…
Apples & Maple Italian Bread Pudding with Cinnamon Whipped Cream is for you!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Apples and Maple Italian Bread Pudding with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- Apples and Maple Bread Pudding
- 1 pound loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 4 large SnapDragon apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 3 cups milk
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Spread bread on a large rimmed baking sheet and bake until lightly golden and dry, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 3 Tbsp. butter. Add the apples and 1/4 cup of each sugar to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are golden and softened, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the cinnamon.
- Remove from the heat and cook until the sauce is syrupy, about 1 minute.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and remaining sugar(s).
- Add the maple syrup into the custard and stir to combine.
- Add the bread and apples and toss until evenly coated.
- Let stand for 5 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Melt the 3 remaining tablespoons of butter.
- Brush an 8×11 baking pan with 1 Tbsp. butter.
- Add the bread pudding and drizzle the remaining butter on top.
- Bake for 45 – 50 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is golden.
- In the meantime, prepare whipped cream.
- Combine cinnamon and vanilla with heavy whipping cream in a medium sized bowl and mix with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Remove bread pudding from oven. Let cool slightly then top with a swirl of maple syrup.
- Serve with cinnamon whipped cream.
You can also find SnapDragons on Twitter and Facebook.
Long weekends, bread pudding and belly roll laughs are the best! And an inspired bread pudding recipe? Even better! Oh, anything Bread is pure comfort for me.. and top this delicious recipe off with cinnamon whipped cream? This would be devoured in no time! Delicious work and fabulous giveaway my dear!
There’s nothing like special weekends with good friends! And good food, of course… Thanks, my dear! 🙂
I’ve never really gotten to know bread pudding. Have had it a few times, liked it when I did, and then kind of forgot about it. You’ve made the best case possible for my giving it a better shot! Looks amazing, Annie!
Give it a better shot! One more time! Thanks, friend! 🙂
This looks so delicious! I never had bread pudding until a few years ago and I was hooked. I love the use of maple with the apples. This recipe is definitely a must try! Take care.
Thanks, Stacey! I was hooked, too, after the first time I tried it! The apples and maple give it a nice autumn feel. 🙂
This looks amazing! I love bread pudding, and I love that you made a fall version of one. Love the crispy edges on the bread and inclusion of apples <3
Thank you so much, Beeta! I think that’s what I love so much…it’s both tender and has just the right amount of crisp. 🙂
This bread pudding looks sensational, Annie! Love that you used SnapDragons! They sound perfect with the maple and cinnamon combo! So comforting and delicious!
Oh yes…ultimate comfort! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Oh… my… gawd! Annie, I’m not a huge dessert person, but bread pudding is my kryptonite! I think I get it from my mom, it was always her favorite too 🙂 Though I must say, I’ve never had bread pudding quite like this – this is spectacular! Like apple pie and bread pudding had a love child! 😉
Hahahah! That is perfect – apple pie and bread pudding had a love child! Thanks, dear!
So delicious! Love that whipped cream 🙂
Homemade whipped cream works on anything! Thanks, friend!
Bread Pudding is one of my favorite desserts. Especially with lots of vanilla ice cream. This one looks amazing!
It’s a real treat, isn’t it?! Ice cream as a topping is a perfect one! Thanks, Christin!
This looks rather scrumptious and I have to admit I have never made a bread pudding recipe. You might have swayed me, especially with that cinnamon whipped cream!
It’s very addicting! And perfect for the holidays! Hope you like it, friend! 🙂
Beautiful presentation of the bread pudding! And sounds like you all had fun a few years ago – time to go back??! 🙂
Hahhaah! It is time to go back!! Thanks for your kind words, Linda! 🙂
I haven’t had bread pudding in a long time! And I’ve never tried Snap Dragon apples… Need to try this awesome dessert!
It is a dish you don’t have often but when you do, it’s such a treat! Thanks, Mira!
All I can say is yum, Annie! I’d love this for breakfast or dessert. Glad you had fun with your girlfriends – a girlfriend weekend is always such a great treat – time to kick back and be your self with lots of laughs (and wine)!
It’s so true, Geraldine – weekends with friends are so special! Thank you, my dear! 🙂
Your girls weekend sounded like it was a blast! That bread pudding MUST have been crazy good if you remember it to this day! I didn’t grow up on bread pudding either, and I used to think I hated it since I never really knew any better. It took me trying it a few years ago to realize how wrong I was! SO GOOD! LOVING yours, Annie! Apples, maple, Italian bread and cinnamon whipped cream? Where do I sign up?! This looks perfect! Pinned! Cheers, doll!
You know – it was just a perfect thing. I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it – it made a mighty impression! Thank you so much, dearest! 🙂
I’ve never tried Snap Dragon apples and we eat apples every day. Yummy!! I love cooking with apples and I am an apron aficionada. I wear aprons every day — I couldn’t do anything in the kitchen without it.
You must find SnapDragons…they’re so yummy! I love that you love aprons – I do too! 🙂
Yay to more Snap Dragons! I would love some French toasty soft and cinnamon comforting plate of goodness! Mixing apples and bread pudding is a brilliant idea, Annie!
I mean…who can’t use that in their life? Thanks, friend!
Wow! This would be perfect for the big day next week – Thanksgiving! So excited to make it 🙂
Mm-hmmm! You betcha! Thanks, dear! 🙂
I haven’t had bread pudding in years, and now I’m totally craving it! This apple version looks delicious, Annie! And I love the cinnamon whipped cream. What a perfect touch!
Thank you, friend! All these flavors come together so beautifully!
Ah this looks SO good, Annie! I have such a weakness for bread pudding and this sounds like it would hit the spot for dessert (or breakfast…?!) right about now!
I have a weakness too! And there are just some things we have to surrender to…am I right?! This is one of those things! Thanks, friend!
Ahhh that weekend sounds like my perfect cabin weekend! And some hearty meals like this bread pudding would be absolutely wonderful 🙂 Love all the flavours in here, the apples and maple syrup especially! Can’t get enough of the stuff. Typical Canadian here 😉
Gosh – the pure syrup that’s out now is too good not to use on everything! Thanks, friend! 🙂
I love bread pudding but don’t make it enough (literally I make it once every 5 years!!). Just the other morning I did a quick savory bread pudding with dinner leftovers of meatballs and garlic bread and it was out of this world. Trying this recipe soon because I have a ton of apples that we just picked at a local farm. I would totally eat this as breakfast too! 🙂
Okay…I’m coming over for your bread pudding! Leftover meatballs and garlic bread? Heaven. Heaven. It was worth repeating! Thanks, my dear! Enjoy! 🙂