Bread Pudding With Cranberries and Apples

Ingredients

For the Pudding

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
• 5 eggs
• 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 dash cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1-2 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 cups plain croissants or crustless bread, torn in pieces

For Maple Sauce

• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. 1

   For the pudding:.

2. 2

   Heat butter in skillet and saute apple with 1 teaspoon sugar until soft. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs, cream, cinnamon, vanilla, cranberries, apples, and croissants. Let stand 10 minutes or longer.

4. 4

   Pour mixture into a 9 inch square baking pan. Set pan in a larger pan and fill larger pan with water to the 1/2 way point of the 9 inch pan. Cover pudding with foil and bake 45 minutes covered. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes to brown top.

5. 5

   Let pudding rest 10 minutes before serving.

6. 6

   For the sauce:.

7. 7

   In a small bowl, mix together water and cornstarch. Set aside.

8. 8

   In a saucepan, heat cream, maple syrup, and cinnamon until hot. Stir in cornstarch mixure. Continue stirring and bring to a boil to thicken.

9. 9

   Serve pudding drizzled with maple sauce and topped with a dollop of whipped cream.