Cherry Amaretto French Toast

Dr. C's Kiwanis club came to the house for their annual Christmas get together today.  Yesterday I decided to try out a new recipe that has been rolling around in my head.  I would deem it a success since there wasn't a crumb left!
Not only is this simple to make, but you also have to make it a day ahead of time, and then it's just pop into the oven for about 45 minutes and you have a beautiful delicious French toast.  These French toast bakes are great if you have a crowd in for the holidays---instead of flipping French toast, you can bake it and then serve it.
I started with frozen cherries (since fresh are out of season) from Trader Joe's.  Flavor them with Amaretto, of if you want to make it alcohol-free, I'd use a bit of almond extract or some orange juice.  I like the pairing of the cherries and almonds.  There is a layer of mascarpone, again, flavored with Amaretto or almond extract, and then custard soaked bread goes on the top.  Easy peasy.

Cherry Amaretto French Toast

Serves 6 to 8

4 cups pitted sweet cherries

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons Amaretto di Saronno or 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Two 8-ounce containers mascarpone 

2 tablespoons Amaretto di Saronno

2 tablespoons sugar

8 large eggs

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cups sugar

2 tablespoons Amaretto di Saronno

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

One pound loaf Brioche, egg bread like Challah or Hawaiian Sweet bread sliced

1/2 cup sliced almonds for garnish

1/4 cup unsalted butter

cinnamon sugar for garnish

Coat the inside of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a bowl, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and Amaretto.  Pour into the prepared pan. 

In another bowl stir together the mascarpone, Amaretto, and sugar.
Spread over the cherries in the pan. 

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, sugar and cinnamon.
Dip the brioche into the egg mixture and lay over the mascarpone in the pan.  

My local grocer sells this delicious brioche; it's awesome for French toast

I was able to do 2 layers.  Pour any remaining egg mixture over the bread evenly.  Sprinkle with the almonds, brush with the butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.  Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours, or up to 36 hours.  

Remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and bake for 45 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling, and the top is browned.  Allow to rest for 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.  

This holiday season welcoming friends and family in is one of my favorite pastimes, and this dish is a winner.  Buon appetito!

Christmas Breakfast

Christmas breakfast here at Chez Phillips is a Dutch Baby Pancake and as you can see by the photo I nailed it this year; just wishing the rest of the family was here to enjoy it.  Basically a big popover, it bakes in a 400 degree oven to puff up and is served with warmed maple syrup, fruit or traditionally with butter, fresh squeezed lemon and powdered sugar---heaven on a plate!

Dutch Baby Pancake

Serves 3 to 4

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large eggs
3/4 cup cold milk
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla paste or vanilla extract
Warmed Maple syrup
Fresh Fruit
Lemon Wedges
Butter
Sifted Confectioner's sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Place the butter into a 10-inch wide shallow pie plate and slide the plate into the oven to get hot and melt the butter while you are making the batter.
2. In a blender, process the milk and eggs until frothy, about 1 minute.  Add the flour, cinnamon sugar and vanilla, and blend another 2 minutes.  
3. Pour the mixture into the hot butter and bake 15 to 17 minutes until puffed and golden.  
4. Remove from the oven, slice into wedges and serve with bacon (what else?)
5. Do-Ahead Note:  the batter can be blended, and kept in the jar in the fridge overnight, then blended in the morning and baked.  The colder the batter and the hotter the butter/pan/oven the better the puff. 

Not a crumb left!  Dr. C and Ryan have gone to the U.S. Naval Hospital to deliver gifts to the Wounded Warriors in the hospital during the holidays, we'll open presents when they return.  
Wishing you a delightful day celebrating.