Ingredients

For the bread pudding:
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 medium apples, peeled and sliced
10 regular-sized hamburger buns and/or hot dog buns, cut into bread cubes

For the sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
salt, to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Then lightly grease a 9×11-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups sugar, milk, and eggs, whisking together until smooth.

Add in the vanilla extract, 1 stick of melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and the cinnamon. Then, mix to combine.

Add half of the bread cubes to the egg/sugar mixture and press them down until submerged. Then add in the other half of the bread cubes, gently pressing down to lightly moisten.

Spoon half of the dampened bread cubes into the prepared pan. Then top with half of the apple slices. Repeat this layering with the remaining bread cubes and apples.

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour until the bread pudding is slightly crispy on the top and lightly browned.

To prepare the sauce, start by combining the 1/2 cup sugar, heavy cream, 1/2 stick melted butter, maple extract, and salt (to taste) in a medium saucepan.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat. For 5-10 minutes, allow the sauce to gently boil until reduced slightly.

Taste and adjust both the maple flavor and salt to your liking, adding more if desired.

Once the bread pudding is ready, remove it from the oven and drizzle it with the maple cream sauce. Serve warm!