Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Apple French Toast

Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Apple French Toast

Ingredients

3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cups chopped apples (1/2 inch pieces)
2 tbsp light brown sugar
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon, divided
1 lb brioche or sourdough bread, cut into cubes
8 oz (1 package) full fat cream cheese, cut into cubes
12 large eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups half and half
½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
cup pure maple syrup
½ cup raisins
2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp Kosher salt
½ cup chopped pecans

Directions

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apples and cook about 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Continue cooking until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool.

Butter or spray a 9X13 casserole dish. Place 1/2 of the bread cubes in the bottom of the baking dish in an even layer. Top with 1/2 of the apple mixture and cream cheese cubes. Layer again with the rest of the bread cubes and then the rest of the apple mixture & cream cheese.

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, half and half, orange juice, maple syrup, raisins, vanilla, rest of the cinnamon and salt. Pour over the apple/bread mixture. Cover the casserole, set in the fridge and let soak for at least 2 hours to overnight.

Remove the casserole from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Top with the pecans.

Pre-heat the oven to 350Ëš F with the rack in the middle. Bake the casserole covered with foil for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through.

Serve immediately with more maple syrup and whipped cream.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Apple Cider Mojitos

The flavors of fall and winter combine in this quenching and delicious Apple Cider Mojitos cocktail. A great recipe for entertaining and holiday parties.

2 cocktails

–cinnamon brown sugar simple syrup
1 cup light brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup water
–Apple Cider Mojito
1/2 lemon
3 sprigs fresh mint
1/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup cinnamon brown sugar simple syrup
1/4 cup gold rum
splash of club soda
–for garnish
fresh mint, apple slices, pomegranate and cinnamon

–Cinnamon Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
In a small saucepan over medium heat bring the water and sugar to a boil. Stir so the sugar dissolves. Add the cinnamon sticks. Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature, the flavors from the cinnamon sticks will infuse the simple syrup. Once cooled discard the cinnamon sticks. Pour into a mason jar and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. This simple syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to a month.
–Apple Cider Mojito
Add the lemon and mint to a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler, press out the juices from the lime and mint.
Add the apple cider, simple syrup, rum and a handful of ice to the shaker.
Cover and shake until the cocktail is well combined.
Fill a rocks glass halfway with crushed ice. Pour the cocktail into the glass and top with club soda and the garnishes.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Apple Cider Mojitos

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Rhubarb Applesauce

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Appletini Cocktail

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Apple Pear Betty

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Stuffed Baked Apples with Walnuts and Dates

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Apple Turnovers

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Champagne Apple Punch

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Quinoa Stuffing with Apple, Sweet Potato & Hazelnuts

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Rhubarb Applesauce

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Apple Pear Betty

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith