Nothing pleases me more than finding a fresh reason to gather everyone around the table, and French Toast Casserole provides one. Breakfast is one of my favorite excuses to make the table feel cheerful before the day gets busy. Once it is in the oven, the kitchen begins to do that wonderful work of building anticipation.
Ingredients
- 15-18 ounce French toast bread
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- Orange zest from one orange
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. Cardamom (optional)
- 1/2 tbs. Vanilla paste
- 2 cups blackberries
Instructions
- Butter to brush the baking dish and and for the casserole.
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Cut the bread in big chunks.
- Whisk 8 eggs, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of orange juice, sugar, orange zest, vanilla and spices.
- Add the bread to mixture, transfer the mixture to a buttered 9×13 baking dish, add 2 cups of blackberries, dot with butter and cover with foil.
- Let set in the fridge for 30 minutes or overnight ( I prefer same day baking).
- Bake for 10 minutes covered, uncover and bake for further 20 minutes or until set.
- Serve with powder sugar and maple syrup.