French Toast and Spiced Apple Pudding Inspired by the popular French breakfast, topped with juicy spiced apples, it is perfect with afternoon coffee.
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French Toast was never part of my breakfast tradition when I was growing up. I think I first tried it during stays at hotels on my vacations. Surprisingly, the best I've tried was from one of those chain hotels while attending a convention in Miami many years ago. That was the only decent thing to eat there - the food was otherwise awful, and I have eaten better at some greasy dives of uncertain reputation.
Because I cannot in good conscience say that French toast is any good for me, it's the kind of thing I might have just once in a decade. Except for this French Toast and Spiced Apple Pudding; because French toast might not make the healthiest breakfast, but I can be forgiven if I call it "dessert".
Of course, like every other country, we Dominicans already have a bread pudding, and it is spectacularly good, if I may say so myself, but this one has different textures and flavor that also makes it a very good contender for Best Bread Pudding Ever.
I have made this several times, and have learned a few lessons on what works and what doesn't. Of course, even the ones that didn't turn out so well were very, very good, so it will never go to waste.
French baguettes work best for this, but the crust must not be too thick, or it will stay the same after baking.
Another thing to keep in mind is the type of apple you'll use. Not all apples cook well, some get mushy, some get rubbery. We suggest Pink Lady, or, as a second choice, the classic baker's favorite: Granny Smith.
It doesn't matter whether you are an advanced baker or a beginner, this French Toast and Spiced Apple Pudding recipe is nearly foolproof. Now you know what you'll be baking next.
Buen provecho!
French Toast and Spiced Apple Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
For the apple topping
- 4 Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples
- ½ bar, (¼ cup) melted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon of ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon of clove powder
For the pudding
- Butter for greasing pan
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 ½ cups of whole milk
- ½ bar, (¼ cup) melted butter
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces [350 gr] of day old French bread, , sliced (about 1 baguette)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 ºF [175 ºC]
- Peel and core the apples and slice into rings.
- Mix butter, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and clove. Pour on the apples and work with your hands to coat them with the butter mixture. Reserve.
- Grease a 9" [23 cm] springform pan (Amazon affiliate link) and sprinkle bottom with brown sugar.
- Mix milk, melted butter, eggs, sugar, cinnamon powder, baking powder and salt. Whisk until it is mixed completely.
- Bathe the bread slices in the milk mixture, making sure the liquid soaks in.
- Arrange the bread in layers in the baking pan trying to keep it even. Pour in any leftover milk mixture. Top with the apples.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutritional information.
You said in step 6 that the bread needs to be bathed in the bread... Idk? I'm using this recipe for a Spanish project, since my country is the Dominican Republic, I thought this would be great. I have to translate it into Spanish, and I just need to know… Read more »
This looks fantastic! My grandmother used to make bread pudding I loved. She put the bread and milk in the blender--yes, I know, odd, isn't it? And she used chopped prunes instead of raisins--I didn't like them when I was a kid, can you believe it?! She also made French… Read more »