Today's Recipe 3/23/2012

French Toast Casserole

 1 loaf French bread

8 oz mascarpone cheese

8 oz cream cheese

2 cups strawberries, chopped

12 eggs

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

2 cups half and half milk

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 cup fresh strawberries for garnishing

1. Cut the French bread loaf into sandwich slices. With the back of a spoon, carefully press down on one side of each slice of bread making a pocket for the stuffing. Spoon mascarpone cheese on half the slices and place cheese side up into a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Cover the mascarpone cheese with a handful of chopped strawberries. Spoon cream cheese into the other half of the French bread slices and place cheese side down over strawberries.

2. Mix together eggs, syrup, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and lemon zest. Mix for a couple minutes till everything is well blended. Pour over bread; cover and refrigerate overnight.

3. Heat oven to 350F (175C). Remove cover from casserole and bake for 45-60 minutes until top is golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Garnish with powdered sugar, maple syrup and strawberries.