Apple Cherry Bread Pudding

Prep Time:

1 Hour

Cook Time:

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Total Time:

2 Hours 30 Minutes

Yield:

12 Servings

stock image of bread pudding

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups whipping cream
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 x 16-to-17-ounce loaf old-fashioned white bread, unsliced, crust trimmed, bread cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 3/4 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, each cut into 8 wedges
  • 1 cup dried tart cherries
  • 1 cup Armagnac or brandy
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 cup toffee bits (such as Skor or Heath)
  • 1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds

Directions

 
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Blend first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Add bread; toss. Let soak 1 hour, tossing occasionally.
  2. Meanwhile, butter 12-inch-diameter ovenproof skillet with 2 1/2-inch-high sides. Arrange apple wedges in concentric circles in skillet, covering completely. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, combine cherries and Armagnac in small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Combine 1/2 cup butter, sugar, and salt in medium saucepan and stir over medium-high heat until caramel is smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk Armagnac from cherries into caramel. Whisk applesauce into caramel. Pour over apples; cover skillet with foil again. Bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle cherries over; top with bread mixture. Cover skillet with foil; place on rimmed baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with toffee bits and almonds. Dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Bake uncovered until top is deep brown and puffed, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Recipe courtesy of Michael Pinkelman