Monday, December 26, 2011

Simpler Times French Toast Casserole

Overnight French Toast casserole is a favorite in our house. Especially this one. Simpler Times Blueberry French Toast Casserole. Always a request from my son and his friends, especially when they were back on break from college. But planning ahead is not really my thing, or theirs, so we sort of skipped the overnight part and gave it abut an hour for the bread to soak up the custard. A little mash and stir helps that along and even with just half an hour to soak, it comes out perfect. This time I even went for the real bacon and not the pre-cooked. No comparison! A pretty perfect breakfast. Tomorrow it's back to the cheerio's!






Simpler Times French Toast
Source: David/ Lakeguy (GW Cooking Forum), original recipe by Chef & Innkeeper Cindy Belford, Simpler Times Inn
adapted by There's Always Thyme to Cook
Printable Recipe

1 whole Challah or Brioche cut in 1" cubes
5 eggs
1/2 cup sugar (original recipe called for 1 cup, I used 1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups milk or half & half
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

Put bread cubes in large bowl. Whip eggs, sugar and nutmeg until light in color and thick. Add milk, stir and pour over bread. Cover and place in fridge overnight, if you can't make it ahead, let it soak for at least an hour and mix the bread well in the custard mixture.

In the morning, mix 1 cup blueberries and 1/2 cup pecans into the bread mix and put into a greased pan; sprinkle rest of the blueberries on top, then the pecans. In pan, melt butter and brown sugar until bubbly. Pour mixture over blueberries and pecans.

Bake at 325 degrees for one hour or until puffed. Serve hot with syrup.


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31 comments:

  1. You just brought French toast up a few notches; looks so good.
    Rita

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  2. Looks so good! I made a similar one for brunch a few weeks ago from an Ina recipe but it didn't include fruit. That is a special addition :)

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  3. Oh Wow, this looks and sounds delicious. When can I come over and have some? Thanks for sharing the recipe. I hope you Christmas was wonderful.

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  4. I guess I missed this one on CF...sounds really good!

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  5. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas time! I would love to have this loaded French toast for breakfast this morning!

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  6. This is a spectacular French toast Carol. Hope you have been enjoying this holiday season!
    ♥, Susan

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  7. Oh now this just looks amazing!! Hoping you have a Wonderfully Blessed New Year!

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  8. How yummy! We bought sourdough bread from the bakery to make French toast this weekend! It was so good! I would love it with the blueberries! ♥

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  9. HI! Hope you had a wonderful holiday! We had overnight French toast today. Our first morning at home, lots of holiday travel! I will have to try this recipe next time. New Year's weekend, I think!

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  10. I can bring this up to our cottage for a winter gathering we are having in January. Everyone will love it! I have lots of frozen berries from picking this summer. Thanks for making this Carol :-)

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  11. Oh, my ... this is going in my MUST make stack of recipes! YUM!!!

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  12. delicious looking french toast
    happy holidays to you and family

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  13. I'm thinking this would be PERFECT to wake up to on New Year's Day. What a great way to kick off the year!

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  14. looks glorious. It took me 48 years but I can now say I made French Toast. can't explain why, but there is much I can't explain ;')

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  15. YUM!! I have a similar recipe with french bread cut in 1" slices, love it but rarely make it!! ME

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  16. You changed your comment post...YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  17. I remember this from the CF. I have only made it with apples.
    Looks delicious!

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  18. I have to try this one - it sounds like dessert for breakfast :) So delicious!

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  19. Lovely! I make mine with raisin bread.

    Happy New Year and meow from all of us. Au, Target and Guido.

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  20. MMMMMmmmmm...the Challah bread looked so good to begin with, so making it into yummy French Toast must have been divine! A wonderful holiday breakfast, Carol.

    Happy New Year!

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  21. This looks delicious with blueberries!
    ~Judy

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  22. This sounds amazing!! I've made something similar but without the blueberries - I love this addition!!

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  23. This is what I call a perfect Sunday morning breakfast. What a treat it would be! Happy New Year Carol.

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  24. Half and half, blueberries and pecans sounds like it has taken you breakfast casserole to another level. I can't wait until we have overnight guests...it should be a hit.

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  25. Dear Goddess! That looks delicious. How did I ever miss David's recipe.
    I had been craving french toast for a while, but wouldn't you know it, Santa brought me a waffle maker instead.
    I wonder who told on me.

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  26. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour or until puffed. Serve hot with syrup. (This part was missing so I found it on the Garden Web). Didn't want to wake you up! LOL

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  27. @ Debbie, THANKS! I fixed it. I was definitely sleeping, glad you didn't wake me :)

    Thanks for all the nice comments. Happy New Year to everyone!

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  28. Oh wow hubby would definitely love this. Thanks for sharing.

    MM

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  29. That challah bread looks marvelous and the french toast itself looks super tasty. I'm with you, I'm horrible at putting it together the night before - I'll be sure to follow your mash and stir trick

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