Saturday, December 19, 2009

♥♥♥ We are Gliding into the HOLIDAY♥♥♥


We have gone over our list and checked it twice! Realized we are done with the hustle & bustle of the HOLIDAYS!!! Finally the Cards are all sent, the packages that needed to be mailed are on the way, the shopping for presents is done & they are wrapped and under the tree. Most of the food for the Christmas celebration is snugly put away in the fridge & pantry. So we will be cruising into the Christmas Holiday with ease... A first for me... LOL I sure hope that you my friends all are set for the BIG day and will be enjoying it with family & friends as we are...



I have always made some kind of special breakfast for my family on Christmas morning for over 40 years... I have many wonderful casserole recipes that I have used for years... Several years ago a dear friend of mine gave me this recipe for Baked French Toast and it has become our favorite. It is fairly easy to prepare and the best part is you make it the night before... In the morning you just stick it in the oven and bake it while you are opening presents... My Step grandsons love this breakfast and they are very picky eaters... I decided to share it with you all and maybe it can become one of your favorites too... I sure hope so

Baked French Toast Casserole with Praline Topping

above photo borrowed from the Internet

1 Loaf french bread (13 to 16 ozs)
8 large eggs
2 cups half & half
1 cup milk
2 TBS. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping
Maple Syrup

Slice French bread into slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Praline Topping:

½ pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 TBS. light corn syrup
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.
Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and
bake for 40-60 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.
Serve with maple syrup but it is so sweet you may not need it.

It is hard for me to believe how fast the 4 months have gone by here in Arkansas visiting our daughter and grand kids. In just 2 weeks we will be pulling out in Tassie and heading towards Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
I am looking forward to the adventure BUT will miss all the kids.

Until Later... Have Fun & Enjoy Life

17 comments:

  1. Oh, Donna ~~ bubble lights! How adorable. Thanks for the recipe and enjoy your adventures with Tassie!

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  2. Hi Donna, that French Toast Recipe is printed here and ready to go! Thanks for posting it - it looks great!

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  3. Oh that looks yummy. Dana does that too for Christmas morning. She also makes one with sausage,cheese and eggs that sits in the fridge overnight. Makes a quick simple breakfast after opening the gifts. Me?? I eat a piece of pecan pie left from my party on Christmas Eve... :)

    Hugs and Merry Christmas,
    Chris

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  4. I might just try this for Honey Bear and myself. I'll half it,though. And some sausage balls would be good with it. All easy as pie on Christmas morn. I used to make Monkey Bread but it is a lot of trouble.
    I am ready except for the food part. I am having an open house on Tuesday and haven't gotten ready for that yet since I'm out of town. Then I'll be cooking Christmas Eve for that night and the next day.
    Mama Bear

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  5. You have your act together, sure wish I did.
    Enjoy the family.
    Merry Christmas.

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  6. The way the weather is turning frightful...heading southwest may be just the ticket outta town!
    Cannot believe what the south/eastern states are getting...here in NE Indiana, we barely have 2-3 inches of that white stuff.
    Nothing to their 20 inches!!! I like breakfast casseroles too, yours looks delish~ happy days~~

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  7. Sure know how to hurt a guy,Donna,showing that delicious food as I eat my raison bran.

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  8. Man, I wish I felt as organized as you do, Donna! That recipe sounds AMAZING. Oh my goodness!!!!!

    Are you feeling better now?

    Justine :o )

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  9. That recipe sounds good! Hope you are having a nice holiday season!

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  10. Our special Christams breakfast every year since I was a gleam in my Daddy's eyes has been tortierre, a pie made from pork sausage, potatoes, onions and fabulous seasonings. We have long since switched to turkey sausage to cut the fat, but it's still delicious. Oh, yes, there's a side of champagne with that, and sliced oranges.

    Merry Christmas with a capital C to you and all your readers.

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  11. This recipe looks yummy!! Think I'll try it for Christmas morning. Stay safe as you travel and Merry Christmas.

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  12. To think that I moved all the way to Tampa to "do lunch" with you, and you're still traipsing around the country! Humph!

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  13. Great blog...French Toast looks great. I might have to try that one.

    Where to and how long are you going to be in Texas?

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  14. Hi Donna! Oh, this french toast recipe sounds delish! Did you know we're not quite finished with our shopping! I can't believe it! We're never this late, but life kinda got in the way! When you head out to Texas are you coming to south Texas by any chance? Oh, if you are, I would love to meet you somewhere!
    Have a blessed Merry Christmas, Dear One,
    Shelia ;)

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  15. Donna, I am so impressed that you are all ready for the big day. I am running even further behind than usual! Your recipe made me so hungry. Wish I had some of that waiting in the frige right now! Have a wonderful Christmas, and be careful out there on the road. laurie

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  16. This is sooo GOING To Be MADE...yep...my son's fave breakfast is french toast..and HE LOVES french bread..so perfect combo! Thanks for the recipe. Merry christmas.cherry

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  17. Anything....ANYthing 'praline' connected to it just HASTA be good!

    Donna...I'm here to send you wishes for a warm, blessed holiday. From me and mine to you and your!!!

    Merry Christmas.

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Thanks for stopping by.. We always appreciate your thoughts on our adventures ♥ Thanks Donna