Step 1

Preheat oven to 375⁰F. Grease an 8x8 baking dish.

Step 2

Crumble the bread by hand into coarse crumbs and place in a large bowl. Set aside.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and diced apples with the orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Step 4

Place about 1/3 of the bread crumbs mixture in the baking dish, sprinkle with half of the apple mixture. Repeat with another layer of bread crumbs and then apples, finishing off with a layer of the bread crumbs.

Step 5

Sprinkle ½ cup of water over the dish.

Step 6

Dot the top with thin slices of butter.

Step 7

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, until the apples are tender. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.

Step 8

Serve warm with ice cream or fresh whipped cream, if desired.