Friday, September 26, 2014

Slow cooker apple bread pudding

Make these individual apple bread pudding cups right in your slow cooker. With no dairy or refined sugar, they're a perfect on-the-go breakfast this fall.

Make individual apple bread pudding cups in your slow cooker

Oh look: It's still September so The Ninj is still not talking about pumpkin.

Well, at least until next week.

You know I'm devoted to seasonality and September is the best month for apples: crisp, tart, crunchy, sweet ... GGGAAAAHHHH! I love apples! Even writing about them gets me excited to make something from apples.

So I made individual apple bread pudding cups in Mason jars in my slow cooker. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  But before we talk about the recipe, you have to hear the backstory on this one first. 

A friend of mine wanted to make my slow cooker bread pudding for a dinner party but was having a hard time finding a heat-safe loaf pan that would fit in her crockpot (mine is oval-shaped, so it's not an issue for me). That's when it occurred to me that I could put my crazy-hoarder-lady supply of canning jars to good use and make individual bread pudding cups.

OMG. Too stinkin' adorbs. I was practically peeing myself with excitement.

If you're familiar with my slow cooker bread pudding recipe, you know that it basically uses the crockpot as a water bath. Easy peasy! This is also how I make my apple pie oatmeal (yes, I'm seriously freakin' obsessed with making recipes in my crockpot).

Oooh! Ooooh! Guess what else? There's no dairy and no refined sugar in this apple bread pudding. I know, right? It's a bit healthier than most bread pudding recipes, so I give you full permission to eat it for breakfast.

Get ready to ROCK YER CROCK, ma peeps: It's time to eat dessert for breakfast.

Are you as big a fan of apples and crockpots as The Ninj? Yeah, I don't think you could possibly be, but if you share my love, leave a comment: The Ninj wants to know.

Apple bread pudding, made in Mason jars in a slow cooker

Slow Cooker Apple Bread Pudding



Ingredients:
4 cups cubed rustic bread (preferably a tad stale)
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
2-3 tablespoons raisins
2 cups soymilk
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1-2 tablespoons bourbon (optional, unless you are The Ninj)

Directions:
Divide the bread, apples and raisins evenly among 6 half-pint canning jars. In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together all the remaining ingredients and pour evenly over the dry ingredients in the canning jars. Give the contents of each jar a gentle stir and then place the jars in the crock of a large slow cooker. Add water to the crock until the level is just above the ingredient line in the jars, being careful not to fill it too high (you don't want water getting into your jars!). Do NOT put lids on the jars! Put the cover on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours (overnight is perfect).

www.yankeekitchenninja.com
-- print recipe --

16 comments:

  1. I caved and I've been talking all about pumpkin. Maybe I should concentrate on apples.

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    1. In our line of work, it's hard NOT to cave by mid-September. But don't worry, I'll be talking about pumpkin next week. :-)

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  2. I love the idea of making desserts in the slow cooker, I need to try it out!

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    1. It will grow your appreciation of the slow cooker, Erin!

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  3. I JUST discovered the magic of slow cookers about two weeks ago. Now I'm hooked and want to try making every sweet treat I can think of! Which, umm, is usually chocolate-related... But apples are one of my favorite fruits, so that's definitely going on my list too!

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    1. What? Only 2 weeks ago? Oh boy, you're sure to become an addict, @Amy. I actually own 2 of them and would be screwed without them!

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  4. I love bread pudding and my slow cooker and individual servings. You've hit the trifecta of all things yummy.

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  5. I don't use my crockpot very often, but I think you've convinced me to drag it out for this recipe. I always order bread pudding if it's on the menu and your healthier, lighter version sounds guiltfree! Love it, Jules!

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    1. Healthier and lighter means you can eat more of it, Bill, so get out that crockpot! ;-)

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  6. Holy cow, how fabulous is this?!?!? Great idea, Ninj!

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  7. Oooo this looks awesome Ninj! I never thought of using the slow cooker as a water bath... so clever! Totally trying this!!!

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    1. I make a whole bunch of different dishes this way, Chris -- it's so easy! Enjoy.

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  8. I wish you had thought of this idea a year ago. It would have saved me that nightmarish search for a baking dish to make the other crockpot bread pudding. This recipe is going on the list of things to try!

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    1. I thought of you, of course, when I came up with this! :-)

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