eat me:.bread pudding.

So as the weather starts to cool down I start to want warm, comforting desserts filled with fall flavours, with nuts and apples and caramel.  And what better way to combine all of these flavours than in bread pudding?

Which leads to me to a confession, I had never had bread pudding until two months ago, at Stella's Cafe.  I always thought bread pudding would be a lame dessert, like who wants bread when you can have cake or pie or brownies?  I was so wrong.  Bread pudding is amazing.  After baking with cream , eggs and spices it turns into something moist and delectable, quite similar to cake actually, but way less work.

You definitely need to try bread pudding this fall, especially if it comes topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream!

bread pudding.  slightly adapted from martha stewart

1 day-old baguette, roughly cut into 1 1/2" cubes.  if you decide to make this the day of and your bread is fresh just cut it up, place on a baking sheet and bake at a super low temperature for a while.  the goal is to dry it out a bit but not brown it.
1 apple, cored and chopped into 1/2" cubes.
zest and juice of 1 lemon.
1 C. chopped walnuts.
5 large eggs.
3/4 C. sugar.
1 1/2 C. whipping cream.
1 1/2 C. milk.
1 tsp. vanilla extract.
a pinch of nutmeg.

place cubes of bread in a baking dish.  in a small bowl mix together apple, walnuts, lemon juice and zest, set aside. in a larger bowl mix together sugar, cream, milk, vanilla extract and nutmeg. add in apple mixture.  pour over bread, making sure all the bread is covered.  place the baking dish in a larger baking dish or roasting pan and fill the outer pan halfway with water.  this helps to allow the bread pudding to cook evenly. cover with tinfoil or buttered parchment and bake at 350 degrees (325 degrees if using a glass pan) for 45 minutes.  uncover and bake for another 15-25 minutes until top is brown and a knife inserted in the centre comes out relatively clean.  let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

caramel sauce
1 1/2 tbsp. butter.
1/2 C. whipping cream.
3/4 C. brown sugar.

heat everything in a small saucepan until combined and sauce is smooth and heated through.  pour into a small pitcher or bowl and let cool, giving it ample time to thicken up before serving.

whipped cream
1 C. whipping cream
1 pinch of sugar.

in an electric mixer whip ingredients on high until it thickens up and desired consistency is  reached.

serve everything together for a delicious fall dessert that is definitely worthy of thanksgiving or any other special celebration!  have a great week, xo, T.