Saturday, December 16, 2017

Cinnamon Baked French Toast

Perfect for Christmas morning!


Cinnamon Baked French Toast


http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/cinnamon-baked-french-toast/

  •  FOR THE FRENCH TOAST:
  • 1 loaf Crusty Sourdough Or French Bread
  • 8 whole Eggs
  • 2 cups Whole Milk
  • 1/2 cup Whipping (heavy) Cream
  • 3/4 cups Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
  •  FOR THE TOPPING:
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 pinch Nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 stick Cold Butter, Cut Into Pieces
  •  Fresh Fruit (optional)
Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with butter. Tear bread into chunks (or cut into cubes) and evenly distribute in the pan.

In a medium sized bowl mix together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover tightly and store in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add nutmeg if desired. Add butter pieces and cut them into the dry mixture until mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in a Ziploc in the fridge.

When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat oven to 350 F. Remove casserole from the fridge and sprinkle crumb mixture over the top. (If you're using fruit, sprinkle on before the crumb mixture.) Bake for 45 minutes for a softer, more bread pudding texture. Bake 1 hour or more for a firmer, less liquid texture.

Scoop out individual portions. Top with butter and drizzle with maple syrup.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Chocolate Tortoni



I made this for a Christmas staff party that I was hosting.  I bought some of the chocolate dessert cups from Walmart and used a cookie scoop to fill them.  It was delicious!!

CHOCOLATE TORTONI
Source: Taste of Home (but not sure)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2/3 cup light or dark corn syrup (I used light)
  • 2 cups whipping cream (divided)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate wafers (Nabisco chocolate wafers are best)
  • 1 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2-3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • grated chocolate, chopped notes, whipped cream and maraschino cherries for garnish (Optional)


DIRECTIONS:

In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the regular chocolate chips and corn syrup.  Microwave on high for 1 minute and stir.  Microwave additional 10-20 second intervals, stirring until smooth.  Add 1/2 cup cream and stir until smooth.  Chill for 25 minutes or until cool.  In the meantime, crush cookie crumbs, lightly toast pecans in oven (350- watch closely!), chop nuts, and whip remaining cream until soft peaks.  Mix nuts and crumbs into the chocolate mix.  Fold in half of the whipped cream to the chocolate.  Fold in remaining cream and mini chocolate chips.  Use a cookie scoop to fill foil liners or chocolate dessert cups.  Freeze 4-6 hours, up to a 2 weeks in advance.  Let stand at room temperature for several minutes before serving.  Garnish as desired.