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Elle Cresswell

Orchard Apple Bread Pudding

There’s something timeless about a warm dish of Apple Bread Pudding. It’s more than dessert—it’s the kind of recipe that quietly brings people closer, filling the kitchen with the comforting aroma of baked apples, warm spices, and buttery custard. It’s the dish that lingers at the centre of family tables, appears at holiday gatherings, and turns an ordinary evening into something worth slowing down for.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups day-old bread cut into generous cubes Brioche, challah, or a rustic French loaf all work beautifully, soaking up the custard while keeping their shape.
  • 2 large apples peeled, cored, and diced. Choose crisp apples with plenty of flavour for the perfect balance of sweetness and gentle tartness.
  • 4 large eggs The foundation of a rich silky custard
  • 2 cups whole milk For a smooth creamy texture in every bite.
  • 1 cup caster or granulated sugar Adds just the right touch of sweetness without overpowering the fruit.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Warm fragrant, and essential for depth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon The unmistakable spice that makes this dessert feel instantly comforting.
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg Subtle aromatic, and beautifully warming.
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt To balance and elevate every flavour.
  • ½ cup raisins or sultanas (optional) Little pockets of sweetness that work beautifully throughout the pudding.
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted For richness flavour, and those irresistible golden edges.
  • Icing sugar for dusting (optional) A simple finishing flourish before serving.

Method
 

Prepare the Oven
  1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. This little bit of preparation ensures beautifully golden edges and effortless serving later on.
Prepare the Bread
  1. Place the cubed bread into a large mixing bowl. Day-old bread is ideal here—slightly dried, wonderfully absorbent, and perfect for soaking up every drop of that rich custard.
Add the Fruit
  1. Scatter in the diced apples along with the raisins or sultanas, if using. Gently toss everything together so the fruit is evenly distributed throughout.
Make the Custard
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth, silky, and beautifully fragrant.
Bring It All Together
  1. Slowly pour the custard over the bread and apple mixture, folding gently until every cube is lightly coated and beginning to absorb all that flavour.
Add a Little Richness
  1. Drizzle over the melted butter and give everything one final, gentle fold. This adds depth, richness, and helps create those irresistible golden edges.
Transfer to the Dish
  1. Spoon the mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer so it bakes beautifully from corner to corner.
Bake Until Golden
  1. Place in the preheated oven and bake for **45–55 minutes**, or until the custard is set and the top is beautifully golden with lightly crisp edges.
Allow It to Rest
  1. Remove from the oven and let the pudding rest for **10–15 minutes**. This helps the custard settle and makes serving much easier.
Finish with Flair
  1. Just before serving, dust lightly with icing sugar for a simple, elegant finish.
  2. And there it is—a warm, fragrant dish of Apple Bread Pudding, ready to be spooned, shared, and enjoyed while it’s still gently steaming.