1 tbs. butter for the baking dish

2 baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs. white wine or apple juice
2 cups bread pieces, preferably slightly stale French
1 1/2 cups 1/2 & 1/2
2 eggs, beaten
zest of one orange

Butter a deep 5 cup ovenproof dish.
Place apples in bottom, sprinkle half of the sugar over them. Pour in wine or apple juice. Add the bread, pushing it down to flatten slightly. Mix the cream with the eggs, sugar and orange zest, then pour over bread. Let soak for at least 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden and set.