Stuffed Mexican Hot Chocolate French Toast With Cinnamon Whipped Cream And Chocolate Maple Ganache Food

CHURROS FRENCH TOAST WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE-ORANGE GANACHE

Steps:

• For the French toast: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Cut each slice of bread lengthwise into thirds (18 pieces total). Transfer to a baking rack set over a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes to dry out. Remove from the oven and let sit for another 30 minutes before making the French toast.
• Meanwhile, make the ganache: Whisk the heavy cream and almond butter together in a small saucepan, and bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally¿the mixture doesn't have to be completely smooth. Remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.
• Put the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. (If the cream has cooled off significantly, reheat it nearly to a simmer.) Strain the hot cream over the chocolate through a fine strainer, add the orange zest, and let sit for 1 minute. Whisk until smooth. Keep warm.
• Continue with the French toast: Whisk together the 1 cup sugar, cinnamon and star anise in a shallow baking dish.
• In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, 2 tablespoons sugar, half-and-half and vanilla extract until very smooth. Transfer to a second shallow baking dish.
• Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan later on, soak the bread until saturated, turning a few times, about 3 minutes total.
• In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat half of the oil and half of the butter until melted and shimmering. In batches, add the soaked bread and cook, turning, until golden brown on all sides, about 30 seconds per side. Immediately remove from the pan, toss in the spiced sugar, and transfer to a platter. Repeat with the remaining oil, butter and bread.
• Serve the churros warm with the ganache for dipping.

STUFFED MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE FRENCH TOAST WITH CINNAMON WHIPPED CREAM AND CHOCOLATE-MAPLE GANACHE

Steps:

• For the ganache: Put the chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, then pour it over the chocolate and let sit for 1 minute. Add the maple syrup and whisk until smooth. Transfer 1/2 cup of the ganache to a small bowl, and refrigerate for 10 minutes or until slightly chilled but still spreadable. Cover the remaining ganache and reserve in a warm place.
• For the whipped cream: Combine the cream, sugar and cinnamon in a chilled bowl. Using an electric mixer, whip until soft peaks form. Cover the bowl and refrigerate while you make the French toast.
• For the French toast: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Set a baking rack over a baking sheet.
• Whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, cocoa powder and cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth. Whisk in the milk, cream and vanilla and almond extracts until combined. Transfer the custard mixture to a baking dish.
• Divide the chilled ganache among four slices of the bread and top with the remaining four slices to make four sandwiches. Soak the sandwiches in the custard, two at a time, flipping once, until completely soaked through, about 1 minute per side.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat until beginning to shimmer. Place two of the soaked sandwiches in the pan and cook until browned and crisp on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the sandwiches to the baking rack and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and oil and the remaining two sandwiches.
• If the reserved ganache is cool, microwave it for 10 seconds to warm a bit. To serve, quarter the French toasts, drizzle with some of the ganache, and dollop on some of the whipped cream.

STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Batter:
• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well until incorporated. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
• Filling:
• Fold all ingredients together in a bowl until well incorporated but not completely smooth.
• Syrup:
• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and let reduce by 1/3.
• French Toast:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat a large saute pan and then add butter. Dredge the bread in the batter and place in the pan. Cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool. Divide filling between 2 pieces of the bread top with the remaining 2 pieces of bread. Transfer French toast to oven and bake for 8 minutes.
• Cut each French toast in half and serve with the cinnamon syrup and, if desired, a large scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.

CHOCOLATE-STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In small bowl, stir orange butter ingredients with wooden spoon until blended. Cover; refrigerate until serving time.
• In shallow dish, stir milk, Bisquick mix, vanilla, 1 teaspoon orange peel, the orange juice and eggs with fork or whisk until blended. In each slice of bread, cut 3-inch pocket through top crust. Spread 1 tablespoon hazelnut spread in each pocket.
• Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat (350°F); melt 2 tablespoons butter on griddle. Dip bread in egg mixture, coating both sides. Place bread on hot griddle; cook about 4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.
• Sprinkle French toast with additional powdered sugar; top with additional hazelnut spread. Serve with orange butter.