3.03.2009

Pecan-Praline French Toast

Pecan-Praline French Toast

Did You Know? French toast was created by medieval European cooks who needed to use every bit of food they could find (including day-old bread) to feed their families. The term "french toast" first appeared in print in the Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink in 1871.

As I've mentioned before, most Sundays at my house begin with a family-style breakfast. My sister and I are usually home from school for the weekend, along with my brother and his girlfriend, Caitlin. It's one of my favorite parts about coming home from school. We laugh, we eat, and there's always way too many cooks in the kitchen.

Caitlin loves watching me cook and photograph for Buff Chickpea. She loves browsing through other food blogs, in hopes of recreating something that has sparked her interest. This particular recipe is her first (of many) contribution to Buff Chickpea. And although it took some coaxing to get her to make it completely on her own, the result could not have been better.



Pecan-Praline French Toast

A warm, bread pudding-like base, and glazed in a sugary-pecan coating, this french toast took the ordinarly soggy breakfast to new heights. The bread itself was soft, but not overly so. The moisture level was spot on, and the crispy topping worked wonderfully against the custard base. Served with warmed maple syrup, and a dusting of powdered sugar, a second piece will be calling you shortly. Thanks Cait!

Pecan-Praline French Toast

Pecan-Praline French Toast
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

1 loaf Italian bread, cut in 1" thick slices
3 cups whole milk
3 eggs
2 tablespoons white sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon, plus additional for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Praline Topping
Adapted from Paula Deen

1 stick butter, slightly softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons golden syrup (or light corn syrup)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg


The Night Before
Liberally grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of white sugar.

Arrange bread in the pan in two tightly-packed layers. Make sure to fill in any spaces with torn pieces of bread, so that the custard does not leak to the bottom.

Whisk the milk, eggs, remaining sugars, cinnamon, salt and extracts, and pour over the bread. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon and sugar.

Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The bread will absorb all of the sugary custard while you catch up on your zzz's.

The Next Morning
Make the praline topping: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Spread over french toast.

Bake at 425 for 30 minutes, or until puffed and golden.

Cut into generous squares and serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar.


Pecan-Praline French Toast

THANK YOU

On a side note, I just wanted to send a HUGE thank you to Julia of Dozen Flours for generously sending a sweet 'n salty candy apple my way over the weekend. It was completely devoured within minutes of arrival, and held to high acclaims from everyone in my household. Declared as the best candy apple ever eaten, I'll have to try my hardest on my next dessert to win them back. Thanks Julia, for having such a giving spirit and kind heart.


37 comments:

  1. Baked French toast is so much better than the stove top version! It is our preference. Everything that sinks in and soaks up so well. Your praline topping is out of this world. Leave it to Paula Deen to make it good and buttery. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gorgeous french toast Caitlin! I love praline and this looks like a wonderful way to start Sunday morning.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's the most DECADENT, DIVINE-looking Sunday breakfast dish (or dish, period) that I've ever seen - HOLY YUM!!

    Lovely treat from Julia that you received!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. i was just about to shut the laptop for lunch and this popped up. change of plans! i'm having this, with a side of contentment... fabulous, thanks!

    cheers,

    *heather*

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, this looks SO yummy! I LOVE pecan praline and also french toast, so this is totally perfect. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ooh, this looks incredible. French toast is like my favorite breakfast food, I'm sure it's amazing with that topping on it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This dish is INSANE! HOLY YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  8. i love baked french toast. delicious!! and with such a great topping? my oh my, get in my belly.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The praline topping sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nothing like cooking for an appreciative family! That French toast looks absolutely sinful! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks lovely and I like that it's baked. Makes things easier :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my gosh is that amazing looking! I'm going to link to it over on my blog...I want my sister to see it and get excited...I think I'm going to make it for her as a surprise sometimes...

    NAOmni

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ohhh..I make this as well and it is always a UGE HUGE hit! Your photos are stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello, beautiful! That kind of breakfast would convince me to get up at any time in the morning, no matter how early.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I have to make this! Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow! This looks so decadent and a perfect way to start a lazy Sunday afternoon. Well done :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. the praline topping is a great idea! i love how you brought together two recipes and made it your own..brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow and wow! That pecan praline certainly tops it all off! Looks amazing ! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh wow, this looks positively sinful. I bet it was out of this world. I'd need a much larger crowd in the morning to justify it, though. It's probably a bit much for just us two. But R's parents and brother are coming for a visit soon, so I'll keep it in mind! (here I am thinking out loud in your comments section. sorry!)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Helllllo French toast! I don't know what I would want to devour first- that pecan topping or the fluffy, syrup drenched bread!

    ReplyDelete
  21. On Sundays, we often eat breakfast for dinner. This is perfect. A little bacon. Some fruit on the side. Early to bed....Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hay, thanks so much for posting it! I'm honored!! haha It seriously was so easy and delicious and I'm so happy you didn't give in to my many pleas for you to just take over and make it yourself. (But the thought of ruining Sunday breakfast was terrifying!!) What shall we make this weekend?? :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. absolutely, positively sinful and decadent. i'm a sucker for french toast, and this may be the finest french toast i've ever seen. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Did you know... that I star every single one of your recipes? Though decadent, this sounds really fantastic and I'm all for indulging, especially given the recent bad weather in my area. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Praline has been on my list of goodies to make for a while now and this looks like an excellent way to do it! I'm practically drooling at the thought of this decadent breakfast- probably more like dessert!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love this! It's like my favorite praline buns... but with stuff I already have in the house!

    ReplyDelete
  27. There's nothing quite like starting your day with a piece of French toast swimming in a pool of syrup. That first photo made me drool... just a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow. This looks amazing. And your photos are beautiful! Will try this asap.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh. My. Goodness.

    I am drooling right now, because that French toast looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. The praline topping looks amazing. What a great weekend breakfast!

    ReplyDelete
  31. MMMMM, that looks seriously good. My dad was the one who made the frech toast at home.

    On Christmas Eve I tried a stuffed french toast recipe for my children but it didn't go over well. I reall think this might be more to their tastes. Printing out the recipe!

    You go Cait, great job!!!
    ~ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  32. I must give this a try it looks so good! Sunday breakfast sounds like a fun event at your house :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I work for Bass Pecan Company we are having a pecan recipe contest. Enter in a chance to win $1000 visit our website today www.basspecan.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. That French toast looks absolutely gorgeous - I want some!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm going to quickly pretend i did not see this nor did i just commit the recipe to memory!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow, I love french toast and that looks amazing! Great photos too. Sunday mornings at your house sounds like so much fun :)

    ReplyDelete


Back to Top