French Toast Topping Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Spread bread cubes out and toast until lightly golden, 7 to 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Generously butter a 2-quart casserole dish or 9- by 13-inch baking dish and fill with bread cubes.
• In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, honey, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom and salt until smooth. Pour over bread, tossing well. Press down on bread so it forms an even layer that is mostly submerged in custard. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight (or up to 48 hours ahead).
• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Prepare the topping: In a large bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Using your fingers or a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. You can also pulse the topping ingredients together in a food processor if you'd rather. (The topping can be prepared up to 48 hours in advance; store covered in the refrigerator until needed.)
• Spread diced pears, if using, evenly over the top of the bread, then cover with crumble mixture. Bake until golden and firm, 40 to 50 minutes. If you'd like a crunchier crust, broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes. Or leave the topping softer; it's good both ways.
• Meanwhile, prepare the syrup, if desired: In a small saucepan, combine honey and 1 to 2 tablespoons water, depending upon how thick you want the syrup to be. Using a paring knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add seeds to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat and let the vanilla infuse for at least 10 minutes. (Syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead.) Serve the French toast warm with the honey-vanilla syrup, or maple syrup.

Steps:

• Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Lay the brioche slices in a single layer in a shallow dish and pour the egg mixture over them. Allow to soak for 2-3 mins, then carefully turn over and soak for 2 mins more.
• Heat 1 tbsp of the vegetable oil and butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat until foaming. Carefully lift 2 slices of the soaked brioche out of the dish and add to the frying pan. Fry for 3 mins on each side, until golden and crisp, then place on a wire rack over a baking tray in a warm oven while you repeat with the remaining slices.
• Serve dusted in icing sugar and scattered with fresh berries, if you like.

Steps:

• Fill a well-greased 13x9-in. baking dish with bread slices to within 1/2 in. of top; set aside. , In blender, combine the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and mace; cover and process until blended. Pour over bread slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Meanwhile, combine topping ingredients. Spread over top., Bake, uncovered, at 350° until puffed and golden, 50-55 minutes. (Cover with foil if top browns too quickly.)

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute the apple, brown sugar and cinnamon in 1 tablespoon butter until apple is tender. , In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg, milk and vanilla. Dip both sides of bread in egg mixture., In a large skillet, melt remaining butter over medium heat. Cook bread on both sides until golden brown. Serve with apple mixture and maple syrup if desired.

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients thoroughly with blender until it reaches a smooth, firm texture.
• Add a GENEROUS amount to the French toast.
• If desired, sandwich topping between two slices of French toast and pour syrup over the top.