This Spiced Apple Pudding With Tequila Is A Unique Dessert, As Warm As A Hug
There's something incredibly comforting about puddings. Warm, gooey and as easy to cook as they are to eat. And for those cool fall evenings, a spiced dessert is especially special. And then, when you take a classic and add a dash of creativity to it, what we have on our hands is a whole new dessert, that recalls the familiar taste of the old favourite while upgrading it and exciting whoever is eating it.
For instance, consider this spiced apple pudding with tequila. It's warm and comforting, like a warm hug, and at the same time, adventurous and exciting. The star of this dessert is, of course, the spiced apple pudding. Made with a combination of tart apples, warm spices, and a generous splash of tequila, this pudding is a coming together of flavours and textures that create a truly magical dessert. The apples are cooked until they're soft and tender, then mixed with a creamy pudding mixture that's flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla. The tequila adds a subtle depth and complexity to the pudding, making it a dessert that's sure to impress.
Ingredients:
4 large Tart apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/2 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
1/2 cup Tequila
2 cups Milk
1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Cornstarch
2 large Eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Whipped cream, for serving
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Directions:
To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and tequila.
Mix well to coat the apples, then spread them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are soft and caramelised.
While the apples are baking, prepare the pudding. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, and cornstarch.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to boil. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl, whisk the beaten eggs.
Gradually whisk in a small amount of the hot milk mixture, then pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly. Cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes, or until the pudding is thickened.
Remove the pudding from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Let it cool slightly, then pour it over the baked apples in the baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Serve the pudding warm, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a cinnamon stick for garnish.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind while you make this dessert:
- Make sure you pick the right type of apples. You want tart apples like granny smith. These will give the best flavour and texture. Also, they hold their shape when cooked and offer a nice tart contrast to the sweetness of the pudding.
- Be careful about how sweet you want to make your pudding. Consider how sweet your apples already are. And think about your personal preference and how sweet you really want your dessert to be. Depending on these factors, you can decide how much sugar really needs to be added.
- When baking the apples, don't overdo it. Bake until they are soft and caramelised, but they should still hold their shape. If you overcook then the apples might get mushy and lose their texture, so keep an eye on them.
- Make sure you invest in a high quality tequila that you would enjoy drinking on its own too. This will ensure that the tequila’s flavour also comes through in the pudding, else it's easy for it to get lost in the flavours of the apples and spices. Instead, you want it to be strong enough to complement the other flavours.
- When cooking the pudding, cook over medium heat and stir continuously to prevent lumps from forming. The consistency of the pudding should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Once it's cooked, let the pudding cool before pouring it over the apples. As it cools, it will thicken a bit more, and when it's then poured onto the apples, it will hold the shape even when serving.
