This silky apple dessert recipe -- a spiced apple bread pudding made with apple cider in place of the usual custard -- gets a double hit of apple flavor from both the cider and plenty of sliced tart apples. Mace, the lacy red spice that coats the nutmeg fruit, adds a particularly lovely floral note; but you can substitute nutmeg if you don't have any mace on hand.

Spiced Apple Bread Pudding

Serves 8

Serving Size: 2/3 cup

Active Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

1 1/2 pounds tart apples (3 to 4 medium), such as Granny Smith, Empire or Cortland

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg

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.

Bake for 30 minutes. Use the spatula again to press down the top and baste it with the liquid. Cover and bake for 30 minutes more. Baste the top layer again by pressing down on it with the spatula. Keep the cover off and continue baking until the top is golden, about 30 minutes more. Let rest on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Scoop the bread pudding into individual serving dishes. Sprinkle each portion with some of the walnuts and top with a dollop of whipped cream (if using).

Recipe Notes: To stale bread naturally, store at room temperature in a paper (not plastic) bag for two to five days. If you don't want to wait, bake sliced or cubed bread on a large baking sheet at 250 F until crisped and dry, 15 to 20 minutes. One 1-pound loaf (12 to 14 slices) yields 8 to 10 cups 1-inch pieces.

Toast nuts before using for the best flavor. Spread whole nuts on a baking sheet and bake at 350 F, stirring once and checking often, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes.

Recipe Nutrition: Per serving: 257 calories; 9 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrate; 5 g added sugars; 26 g total sugars; 6 g protein; 4 g fiber; 137 mg sodium; 234 mg potassium.

3 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 1/2 fruit, 1 1/2 fat

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)