Days old bread heaven

After getting back from the grocery store, and settling the goods in the fridge and cupboards, I found half a loaf of wheat bread that came from my freezer since there simply was not any more space planted on my counter. I couldn't bare to throw it out so I made apple streusel bread pudding with it and it literally was a piece of heaven on earth. Old bread is a very magical thing. Apparently I associate any thing that is foody and yummy to heaven since my last post did likewise. I hope there really is food in heaven...

Days old apple streusel bread pudding

This will serve 8 GENEROUSLY

Equipment:

Square baking dish (anything between 7x7 to 9x9

whisk or Fork

knife/cutting board (or a nut chopper)

2 mixing  bowls (small, medium)

Ingredients

1 can Apple pie filling (This was about to go bad too, I buy mine at the dollar store and usually save 2.00 or so)

8 pieces day bread broken into large pieces

3 tablespoons butter, plus some for baking dish(please don't skimp. margarine/fake butter is never a good alternative)

1 tablespoon COLD water

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon of really good vanilla (if you are ever in an airport in Mexico, that is the best place to buy cheap, quality vanilla)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

4 eggs

1/2 cup half and half

1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark, I prefer light)

1/3 cup wheat or white flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup brown sugar (yes, again) 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Butter baking dish.

Layer four slices of broken bread. Set aside.

Whisk together eggs, half and half, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, 1/4 cup brown sugar. 

Pour half of this mixture over the bread. 

Spoon over half a can of apple pie filling

Add remaining four slices of broken bread. 

Pour remaining custard (egg) mixture.

Spoon remaining half can of apple pie filling. Set aside.

Mix with a fork 3 tablespoons cubed cold butter, flour, remaining brown sugar, nuts and water. 

Crumble this over top of bread pudding.

Bake 45min to an hour or until the topping is crispy, golden brown.

It would be sinful to eat this without good quality vanilla ice cream!....Chose wisely. Cook's Country says Haagen Dazs has the best vanilla flavoring and quality for your buck though (most vanilla ice creams just have tons of air folded into it and artificial vanilla), but I like Blue Bunny or Trader Joe's.