Apple Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped, dried apples
• 1/2 cup good quality apple cider
• 8 slices of apple fritter breakfast bread or cinnamon raisin bread, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 3 tblsp butter, melted
• 2 cups milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• Fresh cream and caramel for topping

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray a 2 or 2.5 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Place bread cubes in a large bowl and add melted butter. Toss to coat. spread on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake until golden brown. Allow to cool.
3. Pour cooled bread cubes in casserole dish. Top bread cubes with soaked apples and cider. Gently toss or stir to evenly distribute.
4. In a medium bowl whisk milk, eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla, stirring until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth.
5. Pour mixture over bread cubes and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from refrigerator and bake for 45 minutes or until center is set.
7. Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
8. Top with fresh whipped cream and warm caramel sauce.