Baked French Toast

It is always wonderful to get up on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning and have that special treat that somehow makes your world perfect. This could be it.

You need:

• 1 tbsp. pure vanilla
• 2 cups milk
• 8 slices of bread, 3/4 inch thick
• butter (of course)
• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• Fresh fruit (berries or sliced fruit)

Cut each slice of bread into quarters on the diagonal to make triangles. Arrange these, point side up in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish, overlapping as necessary, into 3 rows.

Whisk together the sugar, eggs and 1/2 tsp. of the cinnamon until blended and whisk the milk in. Pour over the bread and gently press to immerse. Cover and refrigerate over night.

In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover the baking dish and once again, immerse the bread into the liquid and bake for 30 minutes until a knife inserted comes out clean and the bread is a golden brown and puffed up.

While the bread is baking, whisk the maple syrup with the remaining cinnamon in a small saucepan until it begins to bubble. Serve with the french toast and cold berries. Wonderful combination.

This is a real endulgent start to your day. Grab a good book, mate, whatever and get in the moment. Later.

Taste Rating: 9