GINGERBREAD PUDDINGS WITH CANDIED APPLES

Gingerbread Puddings with Candied Apples image

Provided by Gabrielle Hamilton

Categories Fruit Juice Milk/Cream Mixer Egg Fruit Ginger Dessert Bake Christmas Apple Spice Winter Molasses Simmer Bon Appétit Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 28

Ingredients

Candied apple garnish
8 cups unsweetened apple cider or apple juice
1 1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1/3-inch cubes (about 4 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
Gingerbread
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 large egg
3/4 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
1/2 cup boiling water
Puddings
3 cups whole milk
2 4-inch-long pieces fresh ginger (about 4 ounces), peeled, thickly sliced
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
4 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of salt
Ice cream or crème fraîche*
*Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

Steps:

For candied apple garnish:
Combine all ingredients in large pot. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until apples are soft and translucent and cider coats apples thickly, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours. Transfer to bowl and cool. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
For gingerbread:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Whisk first 7 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add brown sugar and egg and beat until blended. Beat in molasses, then flour mixture. Using rubber spatula, stir in 1/2 cup boiling water. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
Bake gingerbread until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool gingerbread completely in pan. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover pan with foil; let stand at room temperature.
For puddings:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine milk, fresh ginger, and peppercorns in heavy medium saucepan; bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, ground ginger, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Strain custard into medium bowl; discard solids in strainer.
Cut enough gingerbread into 1/2-inch cubes to measure 5 1/3 cups (reserve any remaining gingerbread for another use). Divide gingerbread cubes among eight 3/4-cup custard cups or ramekins. Pour custard over gingerbread in each cup, dividing equally. Let stand 15 minutes to allow gingerbread to absorb some custard.
Place cups in roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Cover pan with foil. Bake puddings until set, about 1 hour. Remove from water bath.
Serve puddings warm or at room temperature, topped with candied apple garnish and ice cream.