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.