I don’t know what the weather has been like in your neck of the woods, but it’s been pretty cold and gloomy around these parts for the last couple of days…
I can’t say I mind, though. It’s honestly been nice to be able to relax at home and not feel pressured to go out and take advantage of a gorgeous day (summer, you’re exhausting). Most evenings, you’ll find me under a blanket with a cup of tea or cocoa in one hand and a good book in the other. And if I’m not on the couch, I’m in the kitchen experimenting with my favourite fall flavours.
There’s seriously nothing more comforting than being in a warm kitchen on a cold day, especially when there’s a delicious smell wafting out of the oven. That’s why, when Udi’s Gluten Free offered me a chance to participate in their Fall Comfort recipe challenge, I jumped at the opportunity…
Even though I’m not gluten-free myself, I know that a lot of my readers are, and I can definitely relate to the inconvenience that comes with having to live with serious food allergies (side note: Udi’s also happens to be dairy, soy, and NUT free as well!). With the increasing sketchiness of our food supply, food allergies and sensitivities seem to be becoming more and more common, with people having to give up certain foods left, right, and centre. Canadian Attitudes to Gluten-Free Study estimates that approximately 4.3 million Canadians (12.3%) have gone gluten-free, or have reduced gluten in their diets, and when it comes to sticking to a gluten-free diet, bread is the most commonly reported challenge. In the baked goods category, 79% of Canadians say bread is very or moderately important in their family’s diet, and nearly one in four Canadians who are gluten-free or gluten-reduced say they cheat with bread [source].
Yowza. But I guess that’s not really surprising seeing as bread is… well… it’s pretty darn delicious…
Not bread, says you? Bread pudding, says I! Part of the challenge was to use at least one of the products I received in a comforting fall recipe, so I opted to go with something that everyone loves — bread. The only thing was, what do you do with bread besides make sandwiches or French toast? You puddingify it…
I can’t honestly tell you that I’ve ever had bread pudding before, much less made it, so I have no idea what possessed me to try and come up with a recipe of my own, but it seemed like a brilliant idea at the time (note: the time was 9:30 PM on a Tuesday night). Turns out, it was a brilliant idea. Not to toot my own horn or anything (totally tooting… stop giggling), but this recipe is good. To make it fallish, I decided to go the apple-cinnamon route since I’ve already dabbled with pumpkin and figs. Pat on the back for a decision well-made.
The apples make this fluffy pudding even fluffier while adding to the overall autumnal feel. And the fact that they’re spiked with coconut and caramelized brown sugar just makes them that much more luxurious. I had no idea what to expect going into this recipe, seeing as I didn’t know what bread pudding was supposed to feel or taste like, but I’ve gotta say that I’m more than pleased with how this dish turned out, regardless of whether or not I’m using the term “bread pudding” loosely.
I’d love to know if you make this (or any!) recipe! Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
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gluten-free apple cinnamon bread pudding
- Total Time: 54 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 6 cups (~5 oz.) Udi’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread, cut into 1′ cubes
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4′ thick
Instructions
- Begin by generously greasing an 8×8 inch baking dish. Add bread cubes, making sure there is enough to cover the entire bottom of the pan. If not, cut up another slice.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well incorporated.
- Pour wet mixture over bread cubes, pressing down on them to ensure that they soak up the liquid. Fold in raisins and let sit for at least 20 minutes, checking regularly to make sure the bread cubes are getting spongy.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- While bread cubes are soaking, prepare your apples by adding the coconut oil and apple slices to a skillet over medium-low heat and cooking until tender, approximately 8 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Spoon apples over bread cube mixture, distributing evenly and using a spoon to fill some of the gaps between the cubes. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until apples are golden brown and egg mixture is set.
- Remove from oven and serve. Top with maple syrup or enjoy as-is. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 42 minutes
Fluffy, flavourful, sweet, and spicy, this guy is the perfect comfort food for fall. And if that’s not enough for you, Udi’s was generous enough to allow me to host a giveaway that’ll award a Fall Comfort prize pack valued at $150 (just like the one seen near the beginning of the post… plus a cutting board, lunchbox, and comforter) to one lucky reader. All you have to do is follow the steps to enter below (open to Canadian addresses only).
The giveaway runs until the 27th, which I know is somewhat of a long wait, but I can promise you that it’s well worth it. I’ve been taste-testing some of the other products that I got in my goodie-package over the past few days, and I have to admit that I wouldn’t have been able to tell they were gluten-free if I didn’t know. Well played, Udi’s… well played indeed.
Happy Friday, friends! Make sure to eat something delicious this weekend! 😀
Disclaimer: Udi’s sent me the Fall Comfort pack free of charge. All thoughts/opinions expressed are my own.
Baking for sure!
wish i could enter! i’ve recently had to go (hopefully temporarily) gluten free. alas, i’m a US resident :-/ oh well! have you tried their Power Bagels yet? those are probably one of my favorite products. also their cookies are soft and very yummy !!!
I like to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate!
I love to bake during the fall!
I love soups at night in the fall.
I find comfort in the fall in anything spiced… especially spiced teas and coffees, sweets, etc. I love fall flavors! As far as gluten-free goes, I’m not good friends with anyone who is gluten-free. I do know a few people, though! I don’t mind eating gluten free products from time to time myself, since sometimes I rely on bread too much throughout the day and my body needs a break. I wish gluten free products weren’t so expensive!
Love fall apple picking in the orchards!
Fall comfort starts with a BIG BONFIRE and S’mores!!! 🙂
You’re right. Summer is exhausting. I think it takes me at least a month to recover. Although, I love how the kitchen beckons me in the Fall. I must bake all the things. And the soup, just forget about. I can’t stop making soup.
I’ve never had bread pudding before, although yours looks delicious. Makes me think it might be worth trying.
Seriously, I never gave bread pudding another thought before this — it just didn’t seem that appealing — but the taste and texture is pretty amazing and I’ve sort of become addicted. Perfect comfort food.
I just go and take a warm bath. It feels good
I like to snuggle up under a blanket.
Oh girl, this looks reallll good–totally up my alley!
I love snuggling up with my hubby, getting a pumpkin spiced latte, and/or baking a pumpkin treat!
Comfort = hanging with people who cares
wool socks and hooded sweatshirts
This looks to die for girl!!! I will def have to make this as soon as I can have eggs again! I love a good cup of hot tea, a good book… and a nice nap in the fall!
You can?! Ahhh! Good news! Did you end up not having a sensitivity to them? Or did it lessen?
my dad is obsessed with bread pudding, this is so unique. I mean I adore this company so what a cool prize. my favorite way to find comfort in the fall is blankets, i love layering them on me when it is cold
This recipe looks great!
My favorite way to find comfort in the Fall is with all of the seasonal foods (of course) and enjoying a hot mug of tea or lemon water in the morning.
This looks deelish! I can’t wait to try it myself. Tho I doubt it will look as perfect. 🙂
Not the typical bread pudding that I’m used to, but I’ll TAKE IT!! I’m no connoisseur or anything, but I think the main thing with bread puddings is the sauce they’re soaked/coated/drenched in. Ahhh, I had this one in Nashville a few years ago with a Jack Daniels’ whiskey sauce…so damn good! Hey hey, that’s not to say I couldn’t totally whip up a shot to have with this…to put ON THE PUDDING of course! 😉 Love the apple topping! I’m slowly starting to associate you with all things apple now…applesauce, apple chips, apple of my eye! 😉 Love ya girlie! And seriously, brilliant recipe! xoxo
I was going to go with a sauce, or at least soak the raisins or something, but I didn’t want to try and get too fancy since it was my first time. Plus that’s extra work and I like to keep things simple (aka: I’m lazy) 😉
Well, I can’t say I blame ya there…especially given that it was 9:30 at night! Simple is ALWAYS better when sleep is concerned! 😉
hot chocolate 🙂
My favorite way to find comfort is drinking tea (or hot cider) by my fireplace, watching movies with my friends and sister 🙂 I love Udi’s bread! I always have some on hand since I do a lot of gluten-free meals.
I had bread pudding ONCE and keep meaning to go back…thanks for the reminder!
OMG YUM! I love the idea of turning it into a Fall-inspired bread pudding. Your photos, like always, are spot on! Hope to see these up on FoodGawker and Tastespotting missy 😉
Done and done 😉
I am jealous. Here in Eastern Pennsylvania, for some odd reason, we’ve been combating 80-85 degree weather since the beginning of October. Though the leaves have begun to change color, it has been very odd to experience weather like that. I really hope it goes away soon….I love this time of year, I just need the weather to catch up to the month…lol 🙂
Mmmm looks delish! Udi’s is honestly the only way to go for gluten free bread products! A nice bowl of steaming hot proats and coffee with whipped cream is definitely my go to comfort for chilly fall mornings in Edmonton.
A fellow Edmontonian?! 😀 Fingers crossed that we don’t have -too- cold of a winter this year.
I love fall baking and that looks really good!
I’ve never made bread pudding before either, but this looks flipping delicious! I seriously love all apple desserts around this time of year.
I’m not gluten-free (duh), but one of my best friends is. Luckily we have a great company that makes GF bread in Ontario (the place where I worked last winter, actually), but I’ll have to tell her about Udi’s too!
Holy Cow! My jaw literally dropped when I saw your huge pkg. So many goodies to try out. You lucky girl you! Thanks for sharing the bread pudding.. I’ve never made or even eaten any of all that goodness before #whatswrongw/me
Mmmmm that bread pudding looks soooo yummy! I’ve never actually had bread pudding before but I am definately going to try your recipe very soon!
I was actually surprised by how good it is! I’d never even given bread pudding a second thought, but I’m kind of kicking myself for not trying it sooner. The texture is fantastic.
I always find comfort in a big batch of roasted kabocha squash! 🙂
from one fellow addict to another! 😉
.. i don’t follow a gluten free diet since i don’t have celiac disease but udi’s products look really tasty celiac or not! 🙂
I’ve only had bread pudding once and it was fabulous! My comfort in the fall if I had to choose one is being curled up in a blanket with a big mug of tea 🙂
Raking leaves! Love the smell of fresh leaves. =)
Squash is the greatest comfort of all time
Absolutely anything that has apples, cinnamon, and maple thrown into it! My favourite currenltly is early mornings with a big bowl of oats, chopped up apple and a big drizzle of maple syrup and Almond butter 🙂 doesn’t get any more fall comforting than that! (except when paired with a good cup of tea!)This recipe looks right up my alley and can’t wait to test it out!
That bowl of oats sounds right up my alley! I used to make a similar one with raisins and [lots of] cinnamon.
Hot tea or red wine at night in the fall is the ultimate comfort for me
Oh ANYTHING Cinnamon and fall smelling candles!
I love bread pudding! It makes me nostaligic for Christmas because my Mom always makes bread pudding Christmas morning. I love how your recipe has a fruit layer on top!