Apple Sausage Stuffing

Instructions

1. Prepare the bread
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread bread cubes on two baking sheets and toast until lightly golden, about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Transfer to a very large mixing bowl and set aside.
2. Cook the sausage
   In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the bread using a slotted spoon.
3. Sauté the vegetables and apples
   In the same skillet, melt ¾ cup (1½ sticks) of butter. Add onions and celery and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add diced apples and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until apples are slightly tender. Stir in sage, thyme, and rosemary and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Combine all ingredients
   Add the vegetable-apple mixture to the bowl with bread and sausage. Mix in dried cranberries and pecans if using. Season generously with salt and pepper.
5. Add liquid ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth and eggs. Pour over the bread mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly moistened. The stuffing should be moist but not soggy. Add more broth if it seems too dry.
6. Prepare for baking
   Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the remaining butter. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared dish and spread evenly. Cut the remaining ¼ cup butter into small pieces and dot over the top of the stuffing.
7. Bake the stuffing
   Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.