Product Review: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread + Recipe Bonus

Product: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread – $5.99+

It has taken me way too long to review this product, for sure.  Which is strange, because I am very enthusiastic and happy with the Sprouted For Life Gluten Free breads from Food For Life.  In case you’re new to this blog, I have previously reviewed the other three varieties of the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads: Original 3 Seed, Almond, and Flax.

I was fortunate enough to be sent one loaf of each of the Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads from Food For Life.  These loaves come in Original 3 Seed, Almond, Cinnamon Raisin, and Flax.

But I think I was saving the Cinnamon Raisin version…because cinnamon raisin bread (or anything) has always been one of my greatest flavor loves in life.  I was very fortunate to have a loaf of each of Food For Life’s Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads to try.  I flew through the other three…but the Cinnamon Raisin version has waited a very long time for its turn to shine.

That being said, I am doing a lot of baking and cooking these days (okay…that’s not unusual for me…but I’m trying to create amazing foods with fresh, healthier ingredients).  And I had a thought about a bread pudding that would incorporate some of my favorite things in life: cinnamon raisin bread, peanut butter, banana, and coconut.

How could this be a bad thing?

And, thankfully, I had saved the loaf of the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread.  I pulled it out of the freezer this past weekend and allowed it to come down to room temperature (and thaw beautifully) before getting to work in my kitchen.  I pulled 12 slices of bread and cut them up into large cubes.  This bread is absolutely perfect for a bread pudding recipe as it is not a soft bread.  This bread is sturdy, and when eaten on its own, I prefer it toasted.  Although, I nipped a few of the cubes of bread, just to get a taste for it as I knew I’d be blogging on it.

Guess what?  Even not toasted, the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread is just layers of flavor.  Not only is each slice loaded with plump, juicy, organic raisins, but it has this nutty flavor to it as well.  It’s amazing.  I couldn’t wait to taste it toasted and in my recipe I was working on.

After combining it with the other ingredients of the bread pudding, which also includes NuttZo Original Crunch 7 Nut and Seed Butter, a ripe banana, unsweetened coconut flakes, unsweetened cashew milk, Earth Balance, and 4 large eggs.  All of this went into my (vintage) Pyrex bowl, and I gave it a good toss and tucked it into the liquid, allowing the bread to really absorb the liquid for about 5 minutes.  Then…I loaded it into a baking pan and popped it into the oven.  I then proceeded to clean up my apartment, stopping briefly to really admire and fully absorb the fantastic smell that was coming from my oven.  Nutty and sweet…it smelled like heaven.  I am assuming, of course, that heaven smells like a bakery…and peanut butter.  And if so…I’m okay with that.

Once the bread pudding was set, I removed it from the oven, and barely allowed it to cool at all before cutting a small piece to give it a try.

OH…YEAH!!  While the flavor profile mostly goes to the peanut butter and coconut, the bread is the main vehicle of any bread pudding…and the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread was ideal…no…it was perfect…absolutely perfect, for this recipe.  The bread toasted up gorgeously, developing a richer, nuttier flavor to it after being toasted.  The raisins remained plump and sweet.  The edges of the bread…crispy…sweet…savory…and amazing.  The flavor of this bread meshed SO well with the other ingredients.  I fell in love with this cinnamon raisin bread…and that means it has to be good, due to my affinity for cinnamon raisin products.  Just…YUM!!

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread, shall we?  This particular type of bread is  made from organic sprouted quinoa (red and/or white), filtered water, organic arrowroot, organic potato starch, organic raisins, organic sprouted millet, organic tapioca, organic applesauce, fresh yeast, organic safflower oil, organic cactus, organic sprouted chia seeds, organic agave, organic vanilla organic cinnamon, sea salt, vegetable gum (xanthan, cellulose), and organic psyllium.  Made with sprouted chia, sprouted quinoa, and sprouted millet, this bread is a trio of health.  Not only is it made with sprouted grains (which are SO good for you!), it is also vegan, gluten-free, and high in fiber.  It is so rare for a gluten free bread to be high in fiber.  This is a welcome addition to my freezer.

Now let’s take a look at the nutritional information, because, honestly, in this day and age, it’s important to pay attention to those labels.  A serving of the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread is 1 slice of bread (43 grams).  This serving will dish up 110 calories, 1.5 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 95 mg sodium, 22 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 5 grams sugars, 1 gram protein.  When I was first introduced to this bread, the high calories on only one slice of bread really freaked me out.  But, a good reminder is that not all calories are created equal and there is nothing fake…no colors, preservatives, or fillers…going into this bread.  It’s all healthy, all good, all nutritious.  It’s a great choice of bread for those of you who are (like me) really trying to eat clean.

Has this product sparked your interest?  I really encourage you to give it a try.  And…if you’re feeling saucy…you can always give the recipe for my bread pudding a go.

Recipe: Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Coconut Bread Pudding

Servings: 12
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 12 slices Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread
• 2 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan butter, melted
• 1/2 cup organic unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 large ripe banana, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups unsweetened cashew milk
• 1 cup NuttZo Crunchy Original 7 Nut & Seed Butter

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Prepare an 9×13 inch pan with nonstick baking spray.

Cut the cinnamon raisin bread into cubes and place in a large bowl.

Drizzle melted butter over bread.

Add shredded coconut, banana slices, eggs, cashew milk and peanut butter; gently toss to combine and lightly push down until bread is covered and soaks up the liquid.

Once liquid is absorbed, pour into the baking dish.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top springs back when tapped.

Serve warm with a drizzle of blueberry (or maple…or any flavor) syrup, or additional peanut butter.

~*~*~

I absolutely adore how amazing this bread is, not just in this recipe, but on its own as well.  Depth of flavor is delicious.  And it baked up so well in the recipe, I couldn’t imagine making this again without using the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread.  I have a few extra slices left…so I can’t wait to toast them up next week, once I polish off this amazing bread pudding.

ENJOY!