Blueberry French Toast with Bacon

Why do spring Saturdays have me craving sweet breakfast casseroles? That sounds like something to work through. In the meantime, please enjoy my favorite breakfast of all time.

Ingredients

FRENCH TOAST

• 6 eggs

• 1/2 loaf of bread - French, sourdough, challah or brioche*

• 3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 1/2 cup milk

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 12 slices of bacon

TOPPING

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• 12 slices of bacon

Instructions

1. Grease a square baking dish.

2. Slice the bread into 1" cubes and spread into prepared pan. Top bread with blueberries and set aside.

3. Whisk the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla together in a large bowl until no brown sugar lumps remain.

4. Pour over the bread, pressing the bread into the liquid and adding more milk if necessary.

5. Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the topping together in the medium bowl.

6. Cut in the cubed butter to the topping mixture with a fork or your fingers.

7. Sprinkle the topping over the soaked bread.

8. Package the bread tightly with foil if refrigerating, or plastic wrap if freezing.

9. Freeze if desired or keep in the fridge overnight.

10. Bake foil wrapped (but not plastic wrapped!) casserole on 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until warmed in the center.

11. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place bacon on sheet. Add bacon to the oven with about 20 minutes left on the casserole.

12. Remove both from oven and drain bacon on a plate lined with paper towels.

Notes

• * Obviously every loaf is going to be different. Use your common sense as to how much it will take to fill the dish. Worst case scenario - add more milk or another egg (in this economy?!?) to ensure everything is soaked.

• Extra hamburger buns work great in lieu of other bread (serving size, 1 bun per person)

• For a slightly healthier alternative, substitute 1/4 cup maple syrup for brown sugar.

• Elevate the French toast by adding pecans.

• This recipe can easily be doubled for a crowd. Use a 9X13 pan instead.

• Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for breakfast the next day. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Dairy Free:

Use your favorite non-dairy milk and vegan butter substitute.