Description
Žemlovka (Czech Apple Bread Pudding) is a cozy Czech classic made with layers of custard-soaked bread, cinnamon apples, and raisins, baked until golden. Perfect as a sweet lunch or dessert.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Custard
- 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup (65 g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Fruit Layer
- 4–5 medium apples, peeled, cored, sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup raisins (rum-soaked optional)
For Assembly
- 8–10 slices stale bread (rohlíky, housky, baguette, brioche, or vánočka)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for greasing + dotting on top)
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (for dusting pan)
- Powdered sugar (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 370°F (conventional) or 340°F (fan). Butter a 20×30 cm (8×12 in) pan and dust with breadcrumbs.
- Peel, core, and slice apples. Toss with sugar and cinnamon.
- Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.
- Dip bread slices into custard briefly, coating both sides.
- Layer bread in pan, top with half the apples and raisins, repeat layers, finishing with bread. Pour any remaining custard over.
- Dot top with butter. Bake 40 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool 15 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Rest the assembled pudding 1 hour in the fridge before baking for better soak.
Reduce sugar if using sweet bread like vánočka or brioche.
Reheat leftovers in a buttered skillet for a caramelized edge.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Czech
Nutrition
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g