Valentines Day Strawberry French Toast Bake

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Total Time: 9 hours 30 minutes

Yields: One 9*13 inch casserole

Ingredients:

12 slices white bread, cut into 1 inch cubes

8 ounces (2 packages) cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced

12 large eggs

2 cups half-and-half

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

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Ingredients for sauce

1 cup white sugar

1 cup water

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

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1. Properly grease a 9*13 inch baking dish
2. Evenly arrange ½ the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Now layer cream cheese cubes over the bread and sprinkle 1 ½ cups strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer. Arrange the remaining bread cubes on top of the strawberry layer.
3. Blend half-and-half in a blender for few seconds. Add eggs and blend again until properly mixed. Add maple syrup and blend until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the prepared bread mixture. Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 7-8 hours or overnight.
4. Remove baking dish from the refrigerator 40-45 minutes before baking.
5. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C or 350 degrees F.
6.  Bake covered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and continue baking until puffed and golden brown. Approx 25-30 more minutes.
7. In a small saucepan, stir sugar, cornstarch, and water. Stirring occasionally, cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. Add 1 cup sliced strawberries and mix into the sugar mixture. Stir and cook until strawberries are softened. Approx 10 minutes. Add butter to the sauce and stir until melted.

Why not serve Breakfast in Bed?

Greet your love with this Valentine’s Day breakfast recipe that will surprise them and start their day on a loving note!

For more Valentine’s Day brunch ideas, click here.