Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Prepare Bread and Apples: Place the cubed bread and diced apples in the baking dish, mixing them together. If using raisins, sprinkle them evenly over the bread and apple mixture.
Make Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine and Soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and apples. Press down lightly to ensure the bread absorbs the custard. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to soak.
Bake: Drizzle the melted butter over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the pudding is set.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tip: Half the recipe and use a loaf pan. Just be sure to keep an eye on the baking time, as it may be slightly reduced—start checking for doneness around 25-30 minutes, and continue baking until the pudding is set and the top is golden brown.
Serve it warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce, and enjoy the comforting flavors of the season!