Made with fresh apples, everyday bread, and warm cinnamon, this old-fashioned apple bread pudding recipe takes little effort yet packs plenty of sweet flavor.
Cut the brioche / challah / your chosen bread into small slices or cubes and place it onto a greased pan.
Dry the bread in the oven at 180C / 356F for 10 minutes while preparing the sauce.
Whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut the apple into small cubes.
Remove the bread from the oven, place the apple pieces all around it, pour the sauce on top, then place butter chunks on the top.
Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking so that the bread can soak up some of the liquid. Then, cover the pan then bake at 180C / 356F for about 40 minutes.
Let it slightly cool for 5 minutes then serve with creme angalise or caramel sauce or chocolate sauce, or simply dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
Always cut the bread into cubes or small pieces before using it. Smaller pieces soak up the custard quicker and make it bake faster. Avoid using savory types of bread eg. baguette or sourdough.
To check for doneness, insert a knife into the center of the bread pudding. If it comes out clean, it is done (it is OK if there are a few moist crumbs on the knife). It should not feel too wet or runny when you press down on the bread.
Avoid overbaking the apple bread pudding, as it will make the bread too dry.