Sweet and Savory Apple-Bacon Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 French bread baguette (1 lb.)
• cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 slices OSCAR MAYER Butcher Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon
• 1 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 large leeks
• white and tender green parts only
• cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 4 cloves garlic
• minced
• 1 lb. Granny Smith apples (about 3)
• cut into thin wedges
• 6 eggs
• 5 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 cup KRAFT Finely Shredded Italian* Five Cheese Blend

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400F.
2. Spread bread cubes evenly onto 2 rimmed baking sheets.
3. Bake 15 to 20 min.
4. or until crisp and golden brown, stirring after 10 min.
5. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet on medium-high heat until crisp.
6. Remove bacon from skillet; drain on paper towels.
7. Discard all but 3 Tbsp.
8. drippings from skillet.
9. Add mushrooms to reserved drippings in skillet; cook 7 min.
10. or until lightly browned.
11. Stir in leeks and garlic; cook 2 min., stirring occasionally.
12. Add apples; cook and stir 1 to 2 min.
13. or until crisp-tender.
14. Remove from heat.
15. Crumble bacon.
16. Add to ingredients in skillet; mix well.
17. Cool 10 min.
18. Place toasted bread cubes in 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray; cover with apple mixture.
19. Whisk eggs, milk and pepper until blended; pour over apple mixture.
20. Stir to evenly moisten bread.
21. Cover with foil.
22. Refrigerate 3 hours.
23. Heat oven to 400F.
24. Bake pudding (covered) 45 min.
25. ; sprinkle with cheese.
26. Bake 30 min.
27. or until knife inserted in center comes out clean and top is golden brown.
28. Cool slightly before serving.