How To Make Apple Bread Pudding?

When leftover bread comes into question, many are wondering how to make something yummy out of it. One of the best ways to use leftover bread is to make a bread pudding.

Bread pudding is popular worldwide, many nations have their own version. The recipe I`m going to share with you today comes from Hungary.

The Hungarian name of the dessert is „máglyarakás”, which means bonfire. It got its name from the fried meringue on top of it, reminiscent of flames.

You can make apple bread pudding by following these three steps:
1. Sautée the apples with a little water, cinnamon and sugar. 
2. Make the base out of bread, vanilla flavored milk, sugar and egg yolk, then put a layer of apricot jam on it. Arrange the apple filling on top of the pudding and bake.
3. Meanwhile, make the meringue and add the apricot jam. Put it on the apple filling and continue to bake the bread pudding until a nice brown.

Step 1:

• Cut the peeled and cored apples into small slices and put them into a saucepan.
• Add the sugar, cinnamon, and water and heat up to a boiling point.
• Sautée the apples until tender and the juice is reduced.
• You can adjust the amount of sugar depending on the natural sweetness of the apples you use.

Step 2:

• Grease the bottom and the sides of the baking tray (approx. 30 by 30 cm/12 by 12-inch, and 5cm/2 inches deep) with butter and preheat the oven to 180°C / 360°F.
• Cut the bread into small cubes (approx 1.2 cm / ½ inch) and put them into a bowl.
• Heat the milk with the vanilla to a boil, then pour over the bread. Mix well and let the bread take in the milk.
• Mix the egg yolks with the granulated sugar until frothy, then add to the previously prepared bread and stir well.
• Pour the prepared mixture into the buttered baking tray, then apply the apricot jam onto the top of the dough.
• Arrange the apple pie filling on top of the base layer and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.

Step 3:

• Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until frothy, then add the granulated sugar in 2-3 batches, mixing constantly until the sugar dissolves and stiff peaks form.
• Gently mix the apricot jam with the meringue using a wooden spoon or hand whisk.
• Arrange the meringue on top of the baked pudding and put it back into the oven and bake for approx. 10 minutes, or until a nice brown.
• Let the pudding cool down a bit, then slice and serve. It is best when freshly served, and still lukewarm, but can be stored until the next day. 

Bread pudding layers

The base layer is made from bread cut into small cubes with vanilla, milk, egg yolk, and sugar. Any bread is suitable for making this pudding. You can use brioche, white, wholemeal, or cornbread. The bread does not have to be fresh as it will soften from the milk.

Before baking, the layer containing the bread should be coated with a thin layer of apricot jam. I always use my homemade jam, it tastes much better than any store-bought product.

Now comes the apple cinnamon filling, which will make the dessert taste like apple pie. You can adjust the sugar amount added to the apples as needed. It depends on the type of apples.  Granny Smith requires more sugar than Golden delicious for example.

The finishing layer is made of egg whites whipped with sugar. The meringue layer also contains apricot jam, and it is also fried.

Final thoughts

You can make a really yummy pudding based on this recipe. I also recommend it for beginners as it is really simple but the result is spectacular.

If you liked my recipe, please share it with your friends. Feel free to leave your comments or ask any questions related to this recipe in the section below.

If you like desserts with apples, take a look at my homemade apple pie recipe and mini apple pies baked in muffin tins.