While apples are available all year at the grocery store, there is nothing like freshly picked apples in the fall.  Living where we do, it is a 10-minute drive to a handful of orchards.  Conveniently, our 11 year old daughter takes gymnastics lessons at a studio near these orchards.  With everyone in our house enjoying apples, I typically get a new bag of apples weekly.

For the first month of apple season, we enjoyed Ginger Gold apples, but as with any type of produce, their season ended.  When I went to the orchard last week, I needed to choose a new variety for our house.  Looking for an apple that was a nice mix of sweet and tart, I chose Jonagolds.

On this past Monday, instead of making our typical tapas dinner, I made a two-course dinner.  We started our late night meal with braised lamb and cauliflower.  Enjoyed with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and candlelight, it was a wonderful way to relax.  After dinner, we moved onto coffee and apple bread pudding.   Although we aren’t huge fans of dessert, it seemed like a good night for a little indulgence.  Why not celebrate Columbus Day with some panache?

Warm from the oven and topped with whipped cream, we enjoyed this dessert.  I purposely made enough to provide leftovers, which the kids enjoyed the next day.  They, too, ate it warm with whipped cream, though I could imagine that it would be indulgently good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Freshly Picked Apple Bread Pudding

5 slices crusty Italian bread, cubed

2 Jonagold apples, peeled, cored, & cubed

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup whole milk

2 Tb. unsalted butter

1 egg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease a 1-1/2 quart baking dish.  Place bread and apple cubes in dish, and toss.  Combine sugar, milk, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until butter has melted, and pour over bread and apples.  Mix ingredients.  Whisk eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small bowl, and pour over bread and apples.  Stir to combine.  Bake for 30-40 minutes or until set.

Allow to cool for 15 minutes but enjoy warm!