Bella's Baked Apple French Toast

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Today we had Bella's Baked Apple French Toast served with the same Apple Syrup that we make for our Apple Pancakes. This recipe is from our friends who used to operate The Bowman Bed & Breakfast in Port Angeles. Though they are no longer in business, their recipe lives on!

Ingredients: 1/2 loaf of French bread, sliced thick
8 eggs
3 cups of milk
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 apples, cored, peeled and slliced
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 Tablespoons butter

Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray. Slice bread into 1.5 inch thick slices. Place bread tightly together in one layer in the prepared baking dish. Place eggs in large bowl and beat lightly. Add milk, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla and mix with a whisk. Pour half of the liquid over the bread in the baking dish. Peel, core and slice apples. Cut into into rings. Place rings on top of the bread to cover. Pour remaining egg mixture over the apples.

Mix the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the apples. Distribute small chunks of butter over the top. Bake for 30 minutes, or wrap and refrigerate over night, baking at 400 degrees for 50 minutes the next morning. Set 10 minutes before serving. Serve with real maple syrup (or our Apple Syrup). Yield: 8 - 12 servings depending on the serving size.

Recipe can be divided in half and baked in a 9x9 inch pan for 20 - 30 minutes.

Garnish with powdered sugar, whipped cream and dried cranberries.