Apple Bread Pudding (Capirotada)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9- by 13-inch glass casserole or possibly lasagna pan.
2. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan, add in the bread cubes and stir to coat proportionately. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake 15 min or possibly till lightly brown and crisp. Remove the bread and turn the oven temperature up to 400 degrees.
3. Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cinnamon and set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced apples, walnuts, cream cheese and toasted bread cubes. Drizzle with the reserved sugar syrup and mix to proportionately distribute. Transfer the mix to the prepared pan.
5. Bake, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 15 min. Then bake an additional 5 min, without stirring, till the top is golden brown-brown and crusty and the liquid is almost gone. Serve hot with pitchers of Crema or possibly heavy cream for adding at the table.
6. This recipe yields 8 servings.