Bird's Nest Pudding

This is an old recipe from the mid-1800s; it was popular in the north.

6 apples
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon maple flavoring (or 1 Tablespoon maple syrup) (optional)
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Peel and core apples, and place in greased 2-quart baking dish.

Mix nutmeg with brown sugar and stuff apples, pushing sugar down. Put baking dish of stuffed apples in 350 degree oven to begin baking while you make the batter.

Separate eggs. Beat egg whites until stiff.

Beat yolks until they are light yellow. Stir in milk and flavoring.

In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients, including any left over brown sugar.

Pour flour mixture into egg yolks and stir until most lumps are dissolved.

Fold in egg whites. (May need to beat slightly before adding to batter if they have settled.)

Remove apples from oven and pour batter over and around the apples.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes, until crust has browned. It will puff up and look nicest when you first take it out of the oven, so serve as soon as possible.

Serve an apple with its crust in a dessert dish. Pour over heated cream or top with whipped cream or vanilla or maple ice cream.

Note: Some recipes call for a special heated cream sauce made with one pint of heavy cream, 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar and a bit of ground nutmeg.