I’m a breakfast lover. Sweet, savory – I don’t discriminate. But this sweet french toast casserole is an absolute favorite. I love to make it up the night before and serve to guests (I look so talented in a kitchen) but I’ve certainly been known to whip it up the morning of just for a family treat. Topped with melty butter and warm maple syrup, it’s an absolutely decadent way to enjoy morning.

The Recipe

Butter, For Greasing
1 loaf Crusty French Bread
8 whole Eggs
2 1/2 cups Whole Milk
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract

Topping

1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 stick Cold Butter, Cut Into Pieces
Warm Syrup, For Serving
1 cup fresh berries (raspberries are my favorite), For Serving

To do:

-For the French toast: Grease the baking pan with butter. Tear the bread into chunks, or cut into cubes, and evenly distribute in the pan. Crack the eggs in a big bowl. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover the pan tightly and store in the fridge until needed (overnight preferably). Or you can make it and bake it right away—delicious no matter what!

-For the topping: Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and some nutmeg in a separate bowl. Stir together using a fork. Add the butter and with a pastry cutter, and mix it all together until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in a plastic bag in the fridge.

-When you’re ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and sprinkle the topping over the top. Bake for 45 minutes for a softer, more bread pudding texture or for 1 hour-plus or more for a firmer, crisper texture (my favorite).

Scoop out individual portions. Top with butter and drizzle with warm pancake syrup and sprinkle with berries.

Recipe found adapted from The Pioneer Woman

The Discussion

If you had to spend all weekend (both day and night) in any store – which store would it be?

The Daily Tip

When I really started to get into cooking, I realized just how many great blogs out there have to do with food and I’ve definitely cultivated a few favorites (this recipe is from one of them) and I thought I would share them with you. I’m always looking for new food blog recommendations, so please don’t hesitate to share yours with me as well.

The Pioneer Woman
Iowa Girl Eats
A Thought for Food
Smitten Kitchen
Life as Mom (recent find, but oh, how I love her)