Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cups levain or country bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch (or smaller) cubes
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • Whipped cream or ice cream, for serving
  • Brown sugar, for sprinkling

Method

  • Coat the interior of the slow cooker insert with the butter.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread, apples, cinnamon, walnuts, and raisins and mix them together as thoroughly as possible.
  • (I use clean hands, the best mixing device I know of.)
  • Place the bread and apple mixture in the slow cooker insert.
  • In a blender, combine the milk, sugar, and eggs and blend thoroughly.
  • Gently pour the liquid over the bread, using a spoon to press the bread down into the liquid.
  • Cover and cook on low for about 3 hours, or until the liquid has been absorbed by the bread and a crust is beginning to form.
  • Turn off the slow cooker and allow the pudding to settle for 15 to 20 minutes, then spoon individual portions into bowls and top each portion with a generous serving of whipped cream and a sprinkling of brown sugar.
  • Tea or coffee are good choices here.
  • If you can find one, a Canadian apple ice wine would be delightful.