EatingWell: Spice up your Thanksgiving table
3 cups apple cider
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups 1-inch pieces stale bread without crust
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Whipped cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Peel and thinly slice apples. Toss with brown sugar, cinnamon and mace (or nutmeg) in a medium bowl. Combine cider, butter and vanilla in another medium bowl.
Cover the bottom of a 3-quart round casserole dish (or similar-size pot) with 2 cups bread pieces. Pour about 1/2 cup of the cider mixture over them. Sprinkle with about one-third of the raisins and cover with about one-third of the apple slices. Repeat with another layer of 2 cups bread, 1/2 cup cider and half the remaining raisins and apple slices. For the third layer, arrange the rest of the bread, raisins and apples so that some of each is visible on the surface. Slowly ladle the remaining cider mixture over the top. Using a flat, wide spatula, press down to compact and submerge the top layer (it may not remain submerged). Cover with a lid or foil.
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