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1
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350.
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2
Coat the bottom and sides of the baking dish with the softened butter.
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3
Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of the sugar on the buttered surfaces; tilt and shake the pan so its sugared.
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4
Stir together 1/4 cup of the sugar with the cinnamon.
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5
For the custard: Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until thoroughly blended.
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6
Gradually pour in the cream, milk, and all the remaining sugar, whisking steadily to incorporate them, then whisk in the salt, vanilla, and lemon zest.
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7
Fold the bread cubes into the custard, pushing them down so theyre all submerged, and stir in the apple chunks.
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8
Spoon the pudding into the baking dish, spread everything out to fill the dish in an even layer, and smooth the top.
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9
Drop teaspoonfuls of the apricot preserves on the pudding, distributing it all evenly, then scatter the chopped walnuts on top.
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10
Finally, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the pudding.
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11
Put the pudding dish inside the roasting pan, and set the big pan in the oven.
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12
Carefully pour hot (not boiling) water into the roasting pan, enough to come halfway up the sides of the baking dishdont splash the pudding!
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13
Bake the pudding for an hour and 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crusty and the custard is set: a knife blade inserted into the custard should come out clean.
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14
Carefully lift the roasting pan from the oven to a solid surface.
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15
Leave the pudding dish in the water bath to cool very gradually, but not too muchtake it out of the water and serve the pudding family-style while it is still warm.