Breakfast Bake: {Allergy Friendly} Caramel Apple Strata

For three years running, my mom and I have attended the Taste of Home Cooking School each September. Each event features vendor tables before the class where we get to shop or try delicious goods from local companies. We also get a great gift bag filled with Taste of Home Magazines, coupons, cooking gadgets, etc. This year, we also sat VIP and received signed Taste of Home Cookbooks from the Chef.
I also walk away from each class having laughed and learned so much. The Chef gives a 2-hour class filled with recipe demos and tips. At the end of the show, they giveaway the recipes made to a few lucky winners. Last year I won cinnamon rolls in a beautiful baking dish that was mine to keep! 
One of the recipes demonstrated this year was a Caramel Apple Strata. My mom and I were drooling over the recipe and photos before the demo even began, and once I saw how easy it was to make from Chef Dana Elliot, I knew I wanted to try it at home with gluten free & allergy friendly ingredients. 

There's nothing better this time of year, in the fall, than baking with apples. And with the upcoming holidays approaching, this recipe will be a great one to keep in your back pocket! Prepare it the night before and refrigerate overnight for a yummy dish that's ready to bake in the morning. The result? A delicious success.
What exactly is a "strata"? A strata, or stratta as it's sometimes spelled, is a layered casserole type dish. Often served for brunch, mainly consisting of eggs, bread, and cheese.

Much as the name suggests, you layer the ingredients in a baking dish to create the recipe. First by placing bread slices on the bottom. We used half an Udi's Gluten, Dairy, Nut, & Soy free Cinnamon Raisin bread loaf for the bottom layer. 

The next layers were my favorite! First, adding the seasoned apples and then pouring over the dairy free caramel sauce I made on the stove top. I could've stopped right there and just ate it by itself... Mmm, yummy!

Then, top with the rest of your loaf of bread and the egg mixture called for. This will rest in the fridge overnight, covered. 
In the morning, it will need to sit out for at least a half hour. Bake for about an hour, top with the remaining caramel sauce, slice, and then devour!

Save or Print our Gluten, Dairy, Nut, & Soy Free version of this dish here: