Chai-Infused Apple Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• nonstick cooking spray
• 8 cups cubed stale bread
• 2 ½ cups milk
• 5 green cardamom pods
• ¾ teaspoon whole allspice berries
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 large apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 ¼ cups lightly packed brown sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Optional)
• ¼ teaspoon caramel extract (Optional)
• 4 eggs

Step 1

Heat your oven to 325°F and greasing an 8-inch square baking dish with some nonstick spray. Toss the cubed bread into the dish and set it aside for now.

Step 2

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm up the milk along with the cardamom pods, allspice berries, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Let it gently simmer for about 5 minutes to infuse those flavors, then take it off the heat and let it cool for 15 minutes. Once cooled, strain the milk to get rid of the whole spices.

Step 3

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the apple pieces and cook them until they’re soft, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel extracts until the sugar dissolves. Pour this mixture over the bread cubes and give everything a good toss so the bread is nicely coated.

Step 4

In a bowl, beat the eggs together with the cooled, spiced milk using an electric mixer. Pour this custard over the bread and apples, pressing down lightly on the bread to help it soak up all that liquid. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5

Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar evenly on top of the pudding. Melt the last bit of butter in the microwave for about 15 to 30 seconds, then drizzle it over the sugar.

Step 6

Pop the dish into the oven and bake until the pudding is set and a toothpick comes out clean, which should take between 45 and 60 minutes. You can enjoy it warm or cold—either way, it’s delicious!