Christmas Morning Baked French Toast Food

CHRISTMAS MORNING BAKED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle and generously butter a 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish or pan (3-quart; preferably glass or ceramic).
• Arrange bread in 1 layer in baking dish. Dissolve espresso powder in hot water in a large bowl. Whisk in milk, eggs, vanilla, and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.
• Pour custard over bread, then turn slices over several times so they soak up as much custard as possible. Sprinkle top with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Bake until puffed and set, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in dish on a rack 10 minutes, then dust with cinnamon.

MAKE AHEAD FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream and vanilla. Dip bread slices into egg mixture and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Refrigerate overnight.
• The next morning: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, maple syrup and pecans. Spoon mixture over bread.
• Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

CHRISTMAS MORNING FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Spray butter (or Pam) in 9 x 12 rectangular baking dish. Place croissants in pan, two per row, side by side lengthwise.
• Place cream, milk, eggs, Grand Marnier, cried cherries and orange zest in a bowl. Combine thoroughly. Poure egg mixture over croissants. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Before baking, sprinkle top of croissants lightly with 1 teaspoon sugar, cinnamon, toasted almonds and then very lightly with 1 teaspoon sugar again.
• Bake at 350 (preheated oven) for 30 to 35 minutes on middle shelf of oven. Serve with the best warmed pure maple syrup you can find.

CHRISTMAS MORNING FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, pineapple and 1/4 cup marmalade until light and fluffy. Stir in pecans. Cut a pocket in the side of each slice of bread; fill with cream cheese mixture., In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and 1 cup cream. Dip both sides of bread into egg mixture., Cook on a greased hot griddle until golden brown, 2-3 minutes on each side., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine orange juice and remaining marmalade. Cook and stir over medium heat until smooth. Add remaining cream; heat through. Dust French toast with confectioners' sugar and serve with sauce.