If you would like to make something a little on the indulgent side for Valentine’s Day (my favorite holiday), here’s something…. Blueberry (my favorite berry) French Toast Hot Dish! We recently hosted a January “hot dish pot luck” for our neighbors, and this is what I made. It worked out great at a dessert hot dish, but would also be a delicious “special breakfast.” A plus is that you can make it the day before or in the morning before your evening guests arrive.
Blueberry French Toast Hot Dish
INGREDIENTS
- 12 slices day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes. Personally, I think the bread is the key to this recipe, so splurge and get some artisan bread. You can cut up the bread and dry it out in a 300 degree the oven if it is fresh.
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes. I think one package is enough, but if you truly want the outcome to be indulgent, go for the 2.
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 12 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups milk—any kind will do (dairy, almond, soy, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon butter
DIRECTIONS
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange half the bread cubes in the dish, and top with cream cheese cubes. Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries over the cream cheese, and top with remaining bread cubes.
- In a large bowl, mix the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and syrup. Pour over the bread cubes. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the bread cube mixture from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cover, and bake 30 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking 25 to 30 minutes, until center is firm and surface is lightly browned.
- In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, cook 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the remaining 1 cup blueberries. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, until the blueberries burst. Stir in the butter, and pour over the baked French toast.
- If you want an extra crunch to your casserole, sprinkle the top with raw sugar.