BREAKFAST IN BED: Hearty Maple, Nut and Berry French Toast
THE PERFECT BREAKFAST IS ONE THAT'S QUICK, EASY AND DELICIOUS. YEP, THAT'S THIS FRENCH TOAST!
When your night has been just that good and your morning calls for something quick but special, this French toast will make the smiles last all day long.
Typical French toast starts with crusty French bread (connect the dots to the name?), but this version will have you swooning with differentiating delight.
Why? Awesome bread.
I found this deliciously dense bread at my local farmer’s market, and it is packed with wild rice and wheat flour, dried cranberries, and walnuts.
It is formed into a lovely and heavy artisan round that makes pretty little French toast slices.
This hearty, nutty wheat bread plus the maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon in the egg mixture give the French toast a rich dark color than when made with the more typical French bread.
You could make your own bread, if you’re that crafty, or shop it out at your favorite bakery. But the key is to find a loaf that is sturdy and full of flavorful goodness like nuts, berries and whole grains.
Top your hot toast with thin pats of butter and a drizzle of pure maple syrup that's been warmed up just a bit.
Then serve this up as the ultimate easy breakfast in bed!
Ingredients
4 (1/2” thick) slices hearty-grain bread with nuts and dried berries (cut in half to make 8 slices)
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup melted butter (for the griddle)
Powdered sugar (optional, for sprinkling finished toast)
Warmed maple syrup and butter (for serving)
Directions
Whisk together the eggs, milk, syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a bowl and pour into a shallow baking dish.
Place bread slices in egg mixture and soak 2 minutes each side, or until soaked through.
Meanwhile, heat an electric non-stick griddle to medium-high. Brush lightly with melted butter.
Using a flat spatula, carefully remove soaked bread slices from egg mixture, allowing excess mixture to drip back into the pan, and place on hot griddle. Cook 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Keep warm in low-heat oven until remaining slices are cooked, then sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar and serve immediately with butter and warmed maple syrup.
Equipment note: An electric non-stick griddle works best, but you can also use melted butter in a cast-iron skillet or stove-top griddle.
