Banana French Toast

Lately making a special breakfast has not been happening. I have been prioritizing sleep on Saturday, which is the only day out of the week I can sometimes sleep in. Even though I plan breakfasts to make, by the time I get up and exercise and then shower, it is after 10. If I were to make breakfast at that time it would be close to 11 by the time I would be eating. After exercising I am hungry and do not want to wait to eat breakfast. Thankfully this is a make ahead breakfast, so I forced my self to make it after dinner on Friday, so all I had to do was preheat the oven and bake the casserole after exercising. 

This french toast is so delicious and I did not feel too guilty eating a brown sugar caramel sauce with breakfast because it is mixed with bananas and bananas are healthy. The homemade brown sugar caramel banana sauce is easy to make and layered between the bread cubes for a delicious french toast casserole that is topped with and equally delicious brown sugar crumble. 

This is a most delicious to way to start a relaxing Saturday morning.

Banana French Toast

Ingredients:

Brown Sugar Banana Caramel

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 3 firm-ripe bananas, sliced

French Toast

• 8 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup half and half
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 16 ounce loaf French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes

Brown Sugar Crumble

• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add in the brown sugar and maple syrup. Cook stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. 
2. Once the mixture is smooth, remove from the heat and carefully stir in the sliced bananas. Set aside  and allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, half and half, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.
5. Place half of the bread cubes into the prepared baking dish. Evenly spoon half of the brown sugar banana caramel sauce over top of the bread. Place the remaining bread cubes on top. Evenly spoon the remaining brown sugar banana caramel mixture over top of the bread cubes. Cover the baking dish with cooking spray and refrigerate overnight.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut the butter into small cubes and add into the bowl. Using a pastry blender cut the butter into the sugar flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to bake french toast.
7. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350º F. Remove the french toast and brown sugar crumble from the refrigerator and uncover. 
8. Crumble the the topping over the french toast. Bake uncovered for 40-55 minutes or until golden brown and center is set.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 513
Total Fat		22g
Saturated Fat		12g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat		2g
Cholesterol		238.1mg
Sodium		370.8mg
Total Carbohydrates		62.4g
Dietary Fiber		1.5g
Sugars		27.5g
Protein		13.5g
Calcium		14%
Iron		14.2%
Potassium		232.3mg
Vitamin A		6.8%
Vitamin C		9.4%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Celebrating Sweets.