Berry Bread Pudding


This is an amazingly simple, dinner-guest-worthy dessert that's actually quite healthy.  It's loaded with mixed berries, whole grain bread, and your choice of soy / rice / almond milk. The only sweetener is some maple syrup and a couple tablespoons of organic cane sugar, and for the volume of dessert this recipe makes I think the sugar is a non-issue.  And c'mon, it is dessert after all!

Prep time: 10 minutes

ingredients:
  • 2 cups frozen berries (I use PC brand 4-berry mix)
  • 1 cup either dried or frozen cranberries, both work equally well
  • 4 cups, slightly packed, cubed whole grain bread (roughly 7 slices)
  • 2 cups soy / rice / almond milk, vanilla flavour if you have it on hand
  • 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp organic cane sugar
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp arrowroot powder or corn starch 
  • 1/2 - 1 cup slivered almonds and walnut pieces
  • 2 - 4 Tbsp maple syrup (depending on how many nuts you use)
  • vanilla or almond extract
  • Optional: 1 - 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl combine and mix well: berries, bread, "milk", maple syrup, sugar, arrowroot powder or corn starch, and optional lemon juice.

Pour into a baking or casserole dish and pat down with a spoon.

Combine nuts, remaining maple syrup, and extract in a small bowl and sprinkle over top of the pudding, leaving 1/4" air space around the edge for steam to escape.

Bake, uncovered, 45 minutes

Allow to cool for an hour at room temperature before serving.



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