Breakfast Breads....

Like many other breakfast staples, Classic French Toast is no exception.  I bet all of you have a go to recipe that your family loves.  I happen to have 2 basic concoctions that I use as the base and I will add whatever flavoring I have on hand.  Sometimes pumpkin, peach, berry, banana, vanilla rum...it just depends on the season, what I have and what mood I am in :)

I make a French Toast Casserole for Christmas morning every year that is so simple and I top it with fresh strawberry/Maple syrup.  I always buy the best maple syrup I can get my hands on for this festive dish.  Typically we use sugar-free syrup for day to day eating but every once in a while I whip out the good stuff.  I hate to save it!  For the last year or so I have been using Burtons Maplewood Farms (Medora, Indiana).  I like the feeling of using locally made products and the owner was also The Husband's first real employer.  It has a very deep, smooth taste without being overwhelming and my kids would drink it if they could!

My Basic French Toast

1 loaf good quality large slice bread.  I have used Challah, white butter top, and flavored swirl breads just to name a few.
1 dozen large eggs. I just use 3 of the yolks but all of the whites.  I know this is wasteful but I like the taste better.  Remember, I am not an egg lover.  Use what you like :)
cinnamon: depending on the flavoring I use.  Sometimes a pinch, sometimes a teaspoon.
1 TB sugar or honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 TB whole milk or heavy cream
**Typical add ins:  a handful of pureed strawberries with 1 banana, 1 mashed banana, 1/3 C pumpkin puree, 1 pureed peach, 1 pureed pear...I could go on and on....

Whisk all of these ingredients together.  Put in a large shallow dish so you can easily dredge the bread 1 slice at a time.

add milled flax seed at this point

I cook this on a large griddle so I can do 10 or so slices at a time.

I make this every week.  I like to freeze the leftovers (if we have them) for lunches that week before school.  I probably make banana or pumpkin the most.  If you do go the pumpkin route add a little pie spice.  It is amazing!

**1 tip:  I sprinkle milled flax seed on the slices when the batter is still "wet".  It gives the toast a little added umph in the morning and your kids won't even know ;)

This batch was made with a large handful of strawberries and 1 large banana pureed and added to the batter.

Apple Cinnamon swirl bread.  I added applesauce to the batter.