Cinnamon Pecan French Toast Casserole Food

CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Spray a 9x13" baking dish or glass pan that is safe to go into a hot oven when its cold (such as pyrex or corningware).
• Cut bread into bite-sized cubes; place 1 1/2 c of cubes into quart sized ziploc bag and remaining cubes into baking dish. Set aside.
• Whisk eggs well in a 2qt bowl; whisk in half-and-half, milk, and vanilla and pour over bread cubes in casserole dish.
• Press the bread cubes down into the egg mixture to make sure they are all moistened.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours up to 24 hours.
• When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375*.
• Place butter in a microwave-safe dish; cover with a paper towel and nuke for 30-45 seconds until almost melted. Remove and stir until completely melted.
• Add nuts to bag of reserved bread cubes, then pour melted butter into bag. Seal and shake until the bread and nuts are coated w/ butter.
• Uncover the casserole dish and press the bread cubes down w/ the back of a spoon to remoisten.
• Scatter the bread cubes/nut mixture over the top, using a spoon to evenly distribute.
• Bake, uncovered, for 45-50 minutes until lightly browned on top and puffed. (Baking time will vary depending on how cold the dish is.).
• Let casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. The casserole will settle and deflate a bit as it stands.
• To serve:.
• Cut into squares, place on individual plates, and pass maple syrup to drizzle on top. Serve with sliced strawberries or other berries or a mixture of berries, if desired.
• *NOTE: Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon-Swirl bread with or without raisins works well in this recipe.

APPLE PECAN FRENCH TOAST RECIPE

Steps:

• Place eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, apples and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine.
• Mist bottom of a 12-by-8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Place bread slices in a single layer in pan. Pour egg mixture over bread. Turn bread slices over to coat other side. Cover pan with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.
• When ready to serve, preheat oven to 425°F Remove pan from refrigerator and remove plastic wrap. Sprinkle pecans over top and drizzle with melted butter. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until bread slices puff. Serve with maple syrup.

BAKED PECAN FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Place the eggs, milk, sugar, nutmeg or cinnamon and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
• Mist the bottom of a 12 by 8-inch glass casserole with vegetable oil spray or brush with melted butter.
• Place the bread slices in a single layer in the pan.
• Pour the egg mixture over the bread, distributing it evenly.
• Turn the bread slices once.
• Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.
• The next morning, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Remove the pan from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap.
• Sprinkle the bread slices with pecans and drizzle with melted butter.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bread slices puff up and pecans are deep brown but not burned.
• Serve warm with maple syrup.
• Instead of a cup of milk, use 2/3 cup orange juice and 1/3 cup of the milk.
• You can vary this further by adding a little grated orange zest with the pecans before baking.