chocolaty praline baked french toast

so here's a new recipe that i recently made for brunch when i had some friends over.  trust me...it's quite delicious!!!!  the french toast comes out super moist and custardy, and the chocolaty praline topping adds a touch of sweetness and texture. 

french toast ingredients:

- 1 14 oz (or so) bread loaf (challah, brioche, french bread); approximately 14 oz

- 10 large eggs

- 2 cups half and half

- 1.5 cups whole milk

- 3 tablespoons sugar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1 teaspoon almond extract

- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

chocolaty praline mixture ingredients:

- 2 sticks unsalted butter

- 1 cup brown sugar

- 1 cup pecans, chopped

- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

- 1 cup chocolate chips

directions:

- butter a 9x13 inch baking dish generously

- cut the bread loaf into 20 1-inch slices; arrange them into 2 rows in the baking dish 

- in a large bowl, combine then beat with a whisk the eggs, half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt

- pour mixture into the baking dish over the bread slices; make sure all the bread slices are soaked

- cover dish with foil and refrigerate overnight 

- in a separate bowl, combine well the butter, brown sugar, pecans, corn syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate chips; cover dish with foil and also refrigerate overnight

next day directions:

- preheat oven to 350 degrees 

- break up chocolaty praline mixture and evenly spread over the bread mixture

- place baking dish over a cookie sheet (just in case ingredients ooze over the dish while baking)

- bake for 40 minutes until light golden brown

- enjoy!!

xoxo,

kara

berry amazing french toast

rob (mr. sweet tooth) and i love making french toast on sunday mornings.  here is my super custardy, french toast recipe with a fresh strawberry compote...it's super easy, berry amazing, and you're going to love it :)

ingredients:
- 4 (3/4 inch) slices of brioche
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2/3 cup half & half
- 4 eggs
- pinch cinnamon
- pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
- vegetable oil
- handful of raspberries
- handful of blueberries
- handful of strawberries, sliced

for fresh strawberry compote:
- 6-8 strawberries, halved
- 1 tablespoon sugar

directions:
- in a large glass baking dish, whisk together the milk, half & half, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and honey
- place brioche slices into the baking dish, soaking both sides for at least 5-7 minutes each (make sure the slices are completely soaked...the worst is when your french toast is dry!)
- meanwhile, in a large bowl, scrunch up the strawberry halves and sugar until it's a juicy mixture with chunks; set aside
- melt 1 tablespoon of butter and a couple dashes of oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat
- add 2 slices of brioche at a time to griddle and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side
- remove slices; clean the pan with a dry paper towel
- melt the other tablespoon of butter and a couple dashes of oil in the griddle
- add 2 slices of brioche and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side
- place french toast on a plate; add blueberries, strawberry slices, raspberries and fresh strawberry compote
- serve immediately with some maple syrup and enjoy!

xoxo,
kara