My very own

First let me vent before I explain...

Okay so lately I have been a little under the weather. Well, to put it bluntly, I have had a UTI the last few days and just started my period today. Man both are horrible and I can usually manage one at a time, but together is not a good combo, let me just say. I have had a headache and felt dizzy all day, on top of everything, so I let myself off the hook today for the gym; However, I did an abb workout at home to help with the cramps. I wouldn't let the bladder infection hold me back from the gym the last few days, until the combo hit. I know I am little crazy, and like to push myself to extremes sometimes. I am that girl who went off sugar for 4 1/2 years during high school. No I never cheated. I have been blessed with a lot of perseverance.


Speaking of perseverance....Let my proudly just say that I have been to the gym every week day prior to today, since I started my gym goal. (I stopped going Saturdays b/c its the only day I get to spend time with my hubby with his new job. Sunday doesn't count much because we spend most of the night getting him ready for his next trip ) I feel so much better! Well not now obviously. ha. But, going to the gym makes me feel so good. I am starting to tone up and see results. Exercise is wonderful. Idk how I have been going so long without it.  I want to keep it up once I get a job in whatever area we end up in.


Okay back on topic. Because I haven't been feeling well, I obviously have had a lot of time on my hands today, so I decided to experiment. I looked at several bread pudding recipes off allrecipes.com b/c its the best site ever, but wasn't liking what I was seeing, so I decided to make up my own. I have never done this before. I am the type of person that doesn't want to invest my time into something unless I know its going to be great. I like having the best of the best when it comes to food. This is why I stick with my highly rated allrecipes.com recipes. Was I scared? Yes. I am a good little baker but thats because I follow other peoples masterpieces. I only did this because I was sick and couldn't get myself do do what I needed to do today: gym, laundry, deep clean room+ bathroom.




SO how did it turn out?


 I was kinda going out on a limb with this one, so I knew it would either be tasty or a disaster. I was guessing on measurements with everything besides the butter and eggs. I am happy to say that it surprisingly turned out great!! I obviously wouldn't be sharing it with you guys if it was horrible.


Everyone loved it and I will definitely be making this again. Adam and I love bread pudding. This recipe reminds me of the awesome bread pudding we had on our honeymoon cruise. Okay, maybe its not that good. But, it is pretty darn good. Ever since our cruise we have been disappointed with the bread pudding we have gotten at restaurants. Warning: Mimi's has horrible bread pudding. This recipe I made up will not disappoint! I know I am partial because its my recipe but everyone in my family liked it.

Holly Towner's Bread Pudding

Recipe Ingredients:


*3 slices of honey whole wheat bread- Most recipes call for day old white or egg bread, but I think that is just gross- I just dried mine out in the oven


*one package of Van de Kamps cinnamon rolls (8 pack) -where I was going out on a limb


*Almost a 1/2 a cup of raisons which is equivalent to 8 tablespoons so Ill say 7 tablespoons


*1/2 cup sugar + another 1/8 cup - random but it worked out- I knew I already had plenty of sugar in the cinnamon rolls


*1/2 teaspoon cinnamon  - didn't want to go to heavy on the cinnamon since I used cinnamon rolls


*4 eggs


* 2 cups heavy whipping cream -most recipes call for milk but I thought this would be much better


* 2 tablespoons butter melted


* 1 teaspoon vanilla


* Apricot preserve jam for glaze on top -I was going out on a limb with this one too- i've randomly been wanting to use jam in something like cupcakes so i settled for on something (raspberry jam in cupcakes sounds nice)

Directions:
I broke up the bread and cinnamon rolls into small-medium size pieces and set them on a baking sheet. I set the oven to 175 degrees and then set the bread in there for 5-6 min.


While I was waiting for the bread to dry out, in a mixing bowl I combined the eggs, cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.


Once the bread was done I put it in an 8x8 pan and drizzled the melted butter on top. Then I poured the egg mixture over the top and sprinkled the raisons on top.


I used a fork to mix in the raisons and push down the bread on top, so that all the bread pieces were covered with the egg mixture.


I baked it for 45 min at 375. It makes your kitchen smell soooo good!


ENJOY :)


Before:

After:

After the bread pudding is all done and has cooled down lightly brush some apricot jam on top (after heating it so its liquid) BTW This is optional-dab it on part of a piece and try it first. My parents liked it without. They didn't want to try it.  I liked it with.