Description
Harvest-inspired apple cranberry bake celebrates autumn’s bounty with layers of sweet and tart flavors. Warm spices and crumbly topping complement seasonal fruits, inviting you to savor comforting homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf (about 1 lb or 450 g) day-old sourdough or whole grain bread, cubed
- 2 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, diced
- 1 cup (240 ml) dried cranberries
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh sage, chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (120 ml) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Bread Preparation: Distribute bread cubes on a baking sheet, toast at 300°F (150°C) for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Elevate oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) after toasting.
- Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and celery until translucent, then add garlic and herbs, allowing flavors to meld for one minute.
- Harvest Composition: Combine toasted bread cubes, vegetable mixture, diced apples, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts in a large mixing bowl.
- Moisture Integration: Whisk eggs with broth, then pour over the bread mixture, ensuring even saturation. Season with salt and pepper, gently folding to distribute ingredients uniformly.
- Baking Finale: Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Roast in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the surface turns golden-brown and the interior becomes set and cohesive.
Notes
- Bread Preparation Tip: Toast bread cubes at low temperature to prevent burning and ensure uniform crispness, creating a sturdy foundation for the harvest bake.
- Aromatic Layering Strategy: Sauté vegetables and herbs sequentially to develop deep, rich flavor complexity that infuses the entire dish with warmth.
- Moisture Distribution Technique: Pour liquid mixture slowly and evenly over bread cubes, allowing complete absorption for consistent texture throughout the bake.
- Textural Enhancement Option: Consider adding chopped nuts for unexpected crunch and nutty depth, elevating the overall sensory experience of the dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg