Baked French Toast, New Orleans Style
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of New Orleans with this delectable Baked French Toast recipe, perfect for breakfast or brunch gatherings. Discover the irresistible combination of fluffy bread soaked in a creamy custard, topped with a luscious pear sauce that adds a touch of Creole charm to your morning spread.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Recipe Information:
- Category: Breakfast
- Keywords: Dessert, Grains, Pears, Fruit, Creole, Healthy, Kid Friendly, Christmas, Thanksgiving, < 60 Mins, Oven, Stove Top, Easy, Inexpensive
- Servings: 4
- Yield: N/A
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 878.2
- Fat Content: 23.6g
- Saturated Fat Content: 10.8g
- Cholesterol Content: 249.2mg
- Sodium Content: 1307.1mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 142.5g
- Fiber Content: 8.4g
- Sugar Content: 35.4g
- Protein Content: 25.4g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 12 | Eggs |
| 4 | cups half-and-half |
| 1 | cup sugar |
| 1 | tsp ground nutmeg |
| 1/8 | cup butter |
| 2 | pears |
| 2 | tbsp water |
| 1 | tbsp cornstarch |
| 1/3 | cup honey |
Instructions:
1. Prep the Dish:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Spray a 12 x 8 inch casserole or baking dish with nonstick spray or lightly grease it with butter.
2. Arrange the Bread:
- Lay out slices of bread across the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring they completely cover the surface. Feel free to squeeze in more slices if needed to fill any gaps.
3. Prepare the Custard:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, sugar, and ground nutmeg until well combined and smooth.
4. Soak the Bread:
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the custard.
5. Bake the French Toast:
- Once ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and uncover it.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the French toast is puffed up and golden brown, emanating irresistible aromas.
6. Prepare the Pear Sauce:
- While the French toast bakes, let’s prepare the decadent pear sauce.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it sizzles gently.
- Add the sliced pears to the skillet and sauté for approximately 2 minutes, or until they are tender, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
7. Thicken the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the water and cornstarch, whisking until smooth.
- Add the honey and cornstarch mixture to the skillet with the pears, stirring continuously.
- Cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and becomes bubbly, infusing the pears with sweetness and a glossy finish.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the French toast is done baking, remove it from the oven and transfer it to serving plates.
- Generously ladle the warm pear sauce over the baked French toast, allowing its flavors to mingle harmoniously.
- Serve immediately, savoring each delightful bite of this New Orleans-inspired breakfast masterpiece.
With its sumptuous custard-soaked bread and luxurious pear sauce, this Baked French Toast recipe transports your taste buds to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, making every morning meal a celebration of flavor and tradition. Perfect for special occasions or lazy weekend mornings, this dish is sure to become a cherished favorite among family and friends. So, indulge in a taste of the Big Easy and elevate your breakfast experience with this irresistible recipe! 🍐✨
