_Sips coffee while typing_
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite breakfast recipe that’ll make you want to jump out of bed every morning – my heavenly Maple Pecan French Toast Bake with Caramelized Bananas! Trust me, this isn’t your basic French toast; it’s a game-changer that’ll have your family thinking you secretly attended culinary school.
Y’all, I discovered this recipe during one of those lazy Sunday mornings when I wanted something special but didn’t want to stand at the stove flipping individual pieces of French toast (because who has time for that?). The best part? You can prep it the night before, which means more beauty sleep for us! 😉
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 loaf brioche bread (slightly stale works best, honey)
– 6 large eggs
– 2 cups whole milk
– 1/2 cup heavy cream (calories don’t count at breakfast, right?)
– 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
– 1 cup chopped pecans
– 4 ripe bananas
For the caramel sauce:
– 1/2 cup butter
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Let me walk you through this magical process:
1. Cut your brioche into thick chunks (about 1-inch cubes). If you’re feeling fancy, tear it instead – it creates these gorgeous nooks and crannies that catch all the goodness.
1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Don’t worry if your arm gets tired – consider it your morning workout! 💪
1. Layer half the bread in a greased 9×13 baking dish, sprinkle with half the pecans, then repeat with remaining bread and pecans.
1. Pour that luscious egg mixture all over the bread, making sure every piece gets some love. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours if you’re impatient like me).
Hey sweeties! Quick pause here – if you’re loving this recipe so far, make sure to follow me on Newsbreak for more daily recipes that’ll make your taste buds dance!
Now, for the morning magic:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Let the casserole sit at room temperature while the oven heats up.
1. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and slightly puffy.
1. While it’s baking, make that heavenly caramel sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and maple syrup, and cook until bubbly (about 5 minutes).
1. Slice your bananas and quickly caramelize them in some of that sauce.
1. Once the French toast is done, drizzle with remaining caramel sauce and top with those gorgeous caramelized bananas.
Honey, let me tell you – when you serve this, people will think you’re some sort of breakfast goddess! The combination of custardy French toast, crunchy pecans, and those caramelized bananas is absolutely divine.
Want more recipes like this that’ll make you the star of breakfast? Don’t forget to follow me on Newsbreak for daily doses of deliciousness! And pretty please, drop a comment below telling me how this recipe turned out for you – I’d love to hear if it made your morning as magical as it makes mine!
XOXO,
Your breakfast-obsessed bestie 💋
P.S. If anyone asks why you’re smiling so much at breakfast, just tell them it’s our little secret! 😉
