Baked Blueberry French Toast

Baked Blueberry French Toast

Ingredients:

• 8 to 9 thick (1 to 1 1/2 inches) slices of Italian bread (we used regular sandwich bread and it worked just fine)
  
• 6 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh or dried blueberries
• 3 cups milk (1% or 2% milk is fine)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• powdered sugar to garnish
• 

Preparation:

Arrange bread slices in a lightly greased or sprayed 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle dried blueberries over the slices.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla, and milk; whisk to blend well. Pour the egg mixture evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Heat oven to 325°.

*The French toast halfway done baking before the first turn over.

Uncover the baking dish. Sprinkle each slice of bread with a few teaspoons of brown sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Drizzle with the melted butter. Bake, uncovered, for 50 to 55 minutes, or until browned and set. Use a sharp knife to cut around each slice of bread then lift out with a spatula. Serve with powdered sugar and orange wedges or fresh berries, or serve with warm spiced mixed fruit.
Serves 6 to 8.

*The finished product which looks a bit mangled because I had to turn over all the pieces. See note below!

***I made a few changes to the recipe. I used 12 slices of bread in my 9x12 baking dish, in rows of two. I placed the bread, blueberries and then a bit of mixture to the bottom layer as well as the top. I did have to flip the bread slices half way through in order to have them bake properly which is a bit messy so beware. I may just do it in two separate dishes next time so I do not have to worry about flipping the bread.....more clean up, but I think well worth it!***

I found this recipe here!

Chocolate Banana Bread

I made this bread as part of our Easter spread yesterday and everyone seemed to enjoy it! There was not a single piece left at the end of the festivities! lol

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup ripe mashed banana (about 3 medium ones)
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. Heat the oven to 325°F. Using shortening or soft butter, grease a 9 x 5-inch bread pan with a piece of bunched-up waxed paper.

2. Put a little flour in the pan, then tilt and tap the pan to coat the sides with flour. Tap out the excess.

3. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a mixing bowl and then set it aside.

4. With an electric mixer, cream the butter in a separate bowl. Gradually beat in the sugar. One at a time, have your child crack each egg into a small bowl and beat it into the creamed mixture. Blend in the vanilla extract.

5. In another bowl, stir together the banana and yogurt until well mixed.

6. Blend the dry mixture and the banana mixture into the creamed mixture in thirds, alternating dry and wet to help prevent the dry ingredients from clumping. Fold in the chocolate chips.

7. With a rubber spatula, scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

8. Bake the bread on the center oven rack for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan, on a wire rack, for 15 minutes.

9. Remove the loaf from the pan and let it cool thoroughly before slicing. Makes 10 to 12 slices.

http://phoenixthebloggingmama.blogspot.com/2008/03/chocolate-banana-bread.html