It has been a while since I have posted a recipe and for that I am sorry. Honestly, I haven't been trying too many new recipes because the last several that I have tried were total bombs. After a few of those, you just go back to what you know is good.
On Christmas morning I usually make pancakes. This year I wanted to try something a bit less time consuming. I mean let's face it, when you make pancakes, by the time you get to finally eat, everyone else is done.
A friend of mine has a great French toast casserole recipe, she always uses really healthy, hearty bread. I wanted to use Cinnamon Chip bread from Great Harvest Bread Co. It is a white Cinnamon bread and it is delicious. Most French toast casserole recipes call for more dense types of bread. So my friend, Lindsay (who has a culinary degree), helped me come up with this recipe and it was delicious!
Here you go...
Baked Cinnamon French Toast
Ingredients:
1 Loaf of Cinnamon Chip Bread
5 large eggs
1 c half and half
1/2 c milk
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
dash salt
Cinnamon Crunch Topping
3/4 c flour
3/4 c oatmeal, raw
3/4 c brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c melted butter
1/2 c walnuts or pecans, finely chopped (optional)
Directions:
Cut bread into 2x2 squares.
Arrange cubes in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a mixer or whisk until blended but not too bubbly.
Pour mixture over the bread cubes, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture.
Toss the cubes with the mixture in the pan to evenly distribute the liquid.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Crunch Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden
This was delicious! You will love it. And since I didn't take a picture of our delicious casserole before it was devoured, I am going to include a picture of Lindsay and my favorite Top Chef All-Star Contestant, Richard Blais. Lindsay met him at a culinary function for charity a few years ago. Go Richard!
Top Chef makes me aspire to be chef! I love the all stars right now!
Posted by: Charity | January 10, 2011 at 06:27 PM
All I can say is "YUMMY". Actually it was my hubby who said, You need to try that recipe on Holly's blog. So I guess I'll be making it sometime soon :)
Posted by: Rhondi | January 10, 2011 at 01:31 PM
This looks awesome! I always make quiche, fruit salsa and a coffee cake for Christmas morning so I can make it ahead of time and not have to be in the kitchen all morning. I also use throwaway plates/cups/silverware so I don't have to worry about cleaning that stuff up either.
Posted by: Laura | January 07, 2011 at 02:54 PM