Czech Žemlovka Apple Bread Pudding

stale bread

🥗Healthier: whole grain bread

💰Cheaper: day-old bread

Whole grain bread adds fiber while day-old bread reduces waste.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: soy milk

Almond milk is lower in calories and soy milk is often cheaper.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey provides natural sweetness while brown sugar is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is dairy-free and margarine is often more affordable.

Soak 1/3 cup raisins in rum overnight for extra flavor.

Prepare your baking pan by greasing it with 1/2 Tablespoon butter and sprinkling with 2 Tablespoons breadcrumbs, tapping off any excess.

Make the milk mixture by whisking together 1 2/3 cups whole milk, 2/3 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3 medium eggs, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in a large bowl.

Slice the bread into pieces about 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) thick.

Peel and core 4 large apples, slice them thinly.

Dip the bread slices in the milk mixture, let them soak, and arrange them in the pan to form the bottom layer.

Layer the bread with sliced apples, sprinkle with 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, raisins, and finish with a dusting of 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Soak the remaining bread in the milk mixture and layer it over the apples. Drizzle any leftover milk mixture on top and gently press down with a fork.

Slice the cold 2/3 stick unsalted butter into thin pieces and evenly cover the surface of the Žemlovka with them.

Preheat the oven to 340 °F for fan-forced, or 370 °F for conventional upper and lower heat.

Bake for 40 minutes until the surface is beautifully golden and crispy. Sprinkle with 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens