Apple and Walnut Whole-Wheat Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 12 slices bread whole-wheat cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3  egg yolk 
• 6 large eggs 
• 1 large apple green cored peeled cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 
• 1 cup honey 
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
• 1 cup walnuts toasted roughly chopped
• 2.3 cups milk whole

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• sauce pan
• oven
• whisk
• wire rack
• baking pan

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 9- by 12-inch baking pan.
2. On a large cookie sheet, spread the bread cubes in an even layer.
3. Bake until lightly toasted, 7 to 10 minutes.
4. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, eggs, yolks, and vanilla.
6. In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, bring the milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a simmer.
7. Remove from heat immediately.
8. Whisking constantly, slowly add the hot milk to the egg mixture.
9. Let the custard cool slightly.
10. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, apple, and walnuts. Gently stir in the custard, coating the bread mixture thoroughly with the liquid.
11. Let stand, tossing once or twice to distribute, until the custard is mostly absorbed, about 10 minutes.
12. Spread the pudding evenly into the baking pan.
13. Bake until it is brown and the edges are bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes.
14. Let cool, then slice and serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream.
15. Beware of packaging announcing a product is "100 percent wheat" — this designation can be used on foods made with refined wheat flour. To be sure of a product's nutritional value, read labels carefully: The first ingredient should be a whole-grain product. Check the fiber content — if the product doesn't contain a minimum of three grams per slice, you are probably dealing with an impostor.