Have you ever had one of those moments while shopping and see something new and thought to yourself, "Hmmmmm....maybe?" Well I had a one of these moments the other day while shopping in my local WinCo Foods. The item, a loaf of thick sliced Sweet Hawaiian Bread. Have you tried these Ham and Swiss sliders yet? I first saw it on Pinterest and made them for a potluck. Delish! I was just glad I made two trays or I wouldn't have had any to try! Anyway, when I saw the loaf of Sweet Hawaiian Bread I originally thought Ham and Cheese Sammies. So I bought the loaf. A couple of delicious Ham and Cheese Sammies later I wondered about how good the rest of the loaf would be as French Toast. Hmmmmm...
I know the basic French Toast recipe. It's one of those recipes you have forever etched on your brain not just because it's so simple or few ingredients but because it's so delicious especially for a Sunday brunch.
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
pinch of salt
tablespoon of sugar
sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg
and a splash of vanilla.
Beat all the above and pour over thick sliced day old bread. This was usually enough for four slices. Let soak for a few minutes and then pan fry in butter to golden deliciousness. Plate and cover with more butter, maple syrup and or a sprinkling of powdered sugar. Sound familiar?
I was just going to make the basic French Toast but I really don't have the time during the work week. I had heard of Baked French Toast but it really just sounded like a version of bread pudding. Either way it was had to be good. Now my dilemma was that I had already eaten a few slices from the loaf and what was left wouldn't be enough to make any of the recipes I found when I searched Pinterest. In addition, they were all baked in a 9x13 pan and that was just too much for my household of one. I thought that cutting most of those recipes in half might have worked but only if I had everything. Which I didn't. I just had the ingredients for basic French Toast. Why not just do the basic version and bake it? Exactly. Why not. So, I did and here's the recipe I made in a 9x9 glass baking dish. It makes enough for 4-6 servings.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter the dish really well.Cut Bread into big pieces and place in dish. Set aside. I used the Sweet Hawaiian bread here but any good hearty bread will work. I'm thinking to try pumpkin bread this fall :)
In a mixing bowl beat 4 large eggs together till the yolks are broken up and then beat in 1 pint of half and half or 2 cups of milk. Once beaten together add:
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
3 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pour over bread pieces making sure all pieces are saturated. Sprinkle the top with brown sugar and cover with aluminum foil. Let sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes or in the refrigerator overnight. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Then remove the aluminum foil and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with Butter, Maple Syrup and or Powdered Sugar.Wow, does my house smell so delish right now!
