Bougatsa-Inspired Custard Bread Bake (gluten-free)
Updated: 2 days ago
Bougatsa-Inspired Custard Bread Bake is a comforting gluten-free bread pudding with soft, pillowy bread soaked in creamy vanilla and cinnamon custard, baked until golden and finished with a generous dusting of icing sugar.
About Bougatsa-Inspired Custard Bread Bake
Recently, I was at my mother's house when she served warm Greek bougatsa to her guests. The familiar aroma of cinnamon and vanilla filled the room, and it reminded me just how much I love this traditional Greek dessert.
But there was one thing that stayed with me. My daughter, who has coeliac disease, had never been able to enjoy it. I wanted to make something that would give her those same beautiful flavours without the gluten.
So I came up with this Bougatsa-Inspired Custard Bread Bake.
It's not traditional bougatsa, which is made with delicate layers of filo pastry and a creamy custard filling. Instead, I've used gluten-free bread to soak up a rich vanilla and cinnamon custard, creating something closer to a soft, comforting bread pudding.
The top bakes until golden, the centre stays beautifully creamy, and a generous dusting of icing sugar and cinnamon brings back those familiar bougatsa flavours.
It's wonderfully simple, made with everyday ingredients, and most importantly, it's a dessert my daughter can enjoy too.
Watch How to Make Bougatsa-Inspired Custard Bread Bake
Helpful Tips
Make Sure the Bread Absorbs the Custard
Gently press the bread cubes into the custard mixture, so they're evenly coated. This helps create that lovely soft, pillowy texture rather than leaving dry pieces of bread throughout the bake.
How to Know When It's Ready
The top should be lightly golden and the custard softly set in the centre, without any runny liquid remaining. If needed, continue baking for a few extra minutes, checking regularly to avoid overbaking.
Use the Right Baking Dish
A baking dish approximately 25 × 20 cm works well for this recipe. A larger dish will spread the mixture more thinly and may cook faster, while a smaller, deeper dish may need longer in the oven.
Make It Dairy-Free
You can use a dairy-free milk alternative and grease the baking dish with olive oil instead of butter. Choose a dairy-free milk suitable for baking, keeping in mind that the flavour and texture may vary.
Don't Skip the Cinnamon and Icing Sugar
That generous finishing dusting is what brings the familiar bougatsa flavours together. Add it just before serving for the loveliest presentation.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled or reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or oven until heated through. The bread will soften further as it sits.
Can You Make It Ahead?
You can prepare the custard ingredients and cube the bread ahead of time, keeping them separate in the refrigerator. Combine them just before baking so the bread doesn't become overly soft while waiting.
More Greek Desserts to Try
Bougatsa-Inspired Custard Bread Bake (gluten-free)
(Creamy Vanilla & Cinnamon Bread Pudding)
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Recipe Category: Dessert
Recipe Cuisine: Greek-Inspired
INGREDIENTS
Custard Bread Bake
8 slices Abbott's Bakery Gluten-Free Rustic White Bread, cubed
600 ml milk (or dairy-free alternative)
4 large eggs
¼ cup caster sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 heaped tablespoon (approximately 30 g) butter, for greasing the baking dish
To Finish
2 tablespoons icing sugar, for dusting
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, for dusting
Optional extra melted butter, for drizzling
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dish
Preheat the oven to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional).
Generously grease a baking dish approximately 25 × 20 cm with butter.
2. Prepare the Vanilla and Cinnamon Custard
In a large, deep mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until combined. Add the caster sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and milk.
Whisk until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
3. Cut and Soak the Bread
Stack four slices of gluten-free bread and cut into nine equal squares by slicing twice vertically and twice horizontally. Repeat with the remaining slices.
Add the bread cubes to the custard mixture, gently pressing them down to ensure they are fully coated and absorb the liquid evenly.
4. Assemble and Bake
Pour the bread and custard mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top, allowing it to settle between the bread pieces.
Transfer to the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the custard is set. If the centre still contains runny custard, continue baking for a few more minutes.
5. Rest and Finish
Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
If desired, drizzle a little extra melted butter over the top.
Generously sift the icing sugar and ground cinnamon over the warm bread bake, giving it those familiar Greek bougatsa flavours.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm for a soft, creamy custard texture, or refrigerate and enjoy chilled.
Delicious on its own or alongside a Greek coffee.
Have you tried this recipe?
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Margaret Pahos @CreateCookShare
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