Estonian Apple Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 4 cups (400g) stale bread, cubed 4 cups (400g) stale bread, cubed
• 2 cups (470ml) milk 2 cups (470ml) milk
• 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 25g
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk and butter over medium heat until the butter melts. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. 3.
   In a large bowl, combine the cubed bread, sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. 4.
   Pour the warm milk mixture over the bread and apples. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Pour this mixture over the bread and apples, stirring gently to combine.
6. 6.
   Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the pudding is set.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or chilled, as desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Stale bread — If you don't have stale bread on hand, you can lightly toast fresh bread cubes in the oven for a few minutes to dry them out.
• Apples — Choose firm and slightly tart apples such as Granny Smith or Braeburn for a balanced flavor in the pudding.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg — Adjust the amount of spices according to your personal preference. You can also add a pinch of cloves or cardamom for extra warmth.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can substitute some of the milk with heavy cream.
• Serve the pudding with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Feel free to add raisins or chopped nuts to the bread and apple mixture for added texture and flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed cold the next day, or gently reheated in the oven or microwave.
• Experiment with different types of bread, such as brioche or challah, for a more decadent version of the pudding.

Serving advice

Serve the Estonian Apple Bread Pudding warm or chilled, depending on your preference. It can be enjoyed as a comforting dessert on its own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the pudding with a sprinkle of cinnamon or powdered sugar. You can also garnish each serving with a thin apple slice or a sprig of fresh mint.