1. Sift flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar together into a bowl. 2. Cut butter into small pieces and cut into the flour mixture with two knives or a pastry cutter. (set aside) 3. Cut the bread into crouton-size pieces. 4. Soak the raisins* in boiling water for 3 minutes until plump, drain. 5. Combine bread, raisins and apples. 6. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan or a souffle dish. Sprinkle 1/3 of the flour mixture on the bottom of the pan/dish. 7. Add apple mixture as the next layer in the pan/dish. 8. Top apple mixture with the remaining flour mixture. 9. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes, until the top is crisp and the apples are tender.

Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Also very good with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese!

* dried black cherries can be used in addition to or replacing the raisins.