Apple Biscuit Pudding

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 T butter, divided
• 3 T sugar
• 3-1/2 c cubed day-old biscuits
• 2 c cubed Ludacrisp apples
• 3/4 c brown sugar
• 2 t apple pie spice
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 c chopped pecans
• 1/4 c sweetened dried cherries
• 4 large eggs
• 1-1/2 c whole milk
• 2 t vanilla
• Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease 8-inch square baking pan; add sugar and rotate until lightly coated, discard excess sugar.
3. Melt 2 T butter, toss with biscuit pieces on large rimmed baking sheet, spread into an even layer.
4. Bake 10-15 minutes or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.
5. Melt remaining 2 T butter in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in apples, brown sugar, apple pie spice and salt; cook until apples are tender-crisp, about 8 minutes, stirring often.
6. Remove from heat, stir in pecans and cherries, cool 10 minutes.
7. Whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. Stir in biscuit pieces, let stand 5 minutes.
8. Stir in apple mixture, pour into prepared baking dish.
9. Bake until puffed and set, about 50 minutes. Cool 5 minutes, dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.