Ina Garten's Herb & Apple Bread Pudding Will Make You Reconsider Any Other Dressing Recipe

By Ina Garten

Updated on 11/21/2017 at 6:35 PM

POPSUGAR is bringing you an exclusive look at Thanksgiving recipes from famous lifestyle influencers. We're excited to present this herb and apple bread pudding recipe from Ina Garten's latest cookbook, Cooking For Jeffrey.

Quentin Bacon

This bread pudding is based on the Thanksgiving stuffing that I've been making for Jeffrey for decades. I prefer to roast my turkey without stuffing because it cooks faster and stays moister. Bread pudding that bakes alongside the turkey is the best of both worlds: moist turkey and crispy stuffing.

Quentin Bacon
Quentin Bacon

Herb & Apple Bread Pudding

Yield8-10 servings

From Cooking For Jeffrey by Ina Garten

INGREDIENTS

    8 cups (3/4-inch-diced) country bread cubes, crusts removed 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 3 ounces pancetta, 1/2-inch-diced 2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions) 1 1/2 cups medium-diced celery 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped 1/2 cup medium or dry sherry 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves 7 extra-large eggs 2 1/2 cups heavy cream 1 1/4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese, lightly packed (6 ounces with rind), divided

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the bread in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes, tossing once, until lightly browned. Set aside.

    2. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the pancetta, raise the heat to medium, and cook for 5 minutes, until browned. Stir in the onions, celery, and apple and cook over medium to medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the sherry, rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, until most of the liquid is gone. Off the heat, stir in the parsley.

    3. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, cream, chicken stock, and 1 1/2 cups of the Gruyère in a very large bowl. Stir in the bread and the vegetable mixture and set aside for 30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard. Pour into a 9 x 13 x 2-inch oven-to-table baking dish. Sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of Gruyère and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is browned and a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Serve hot.