Recipe: French Toast Souffle

Hey mamas! Have you figured out what you're serving your man for Father's Day breakfast yet? My hubby appreciates a good breakfast -- especially when it involves french toast! Here's modern, make-ahead twist on your typical french toast breakfast that's certain to wow your man or any brunch guest!

French Toast Souffle

*Note: This souffle must sit overnight in the fridge

Ingredients:

10 cups of french bread cubes (about 1- 1&1/2 large loaves...not the long skinny ones!)

1 8oz package of low fat cream cheese, softened

8 large eggs, ideally room temperature (but not essential)

2 1/4 cups of 2% milk*

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

cinnamon/nutmeg, if you like

*some milk may be substituted for cream if you want an even richer texture

Directions:

1. Add bread cubes to a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. Beat cream cheese at medium speed until smooth. Add room temperature eggs one at time, mixing well between each addition (if your eggs are room temperature, the cream cheese shouldn't become chunky -- although it really doesn't matter to the flavour of the dish). Add milk, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon/nutmeg and mix until smooth.

3. Pour the milk mixture over the bread cubes; cover and place in the fridge overnight.

4. In the morning, take the souffle out of the fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for around 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

5. Bake covered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven; uncover for additional 5-10 minutes until set and browned nicely on the top.

6. To serve, sprinkle with icing sugar. I also like to serve it with fresh fruit or fruit syrup.

How I make my fruit syrup:

In small saucepan, warm 1-2 cups of your favourite frozen fruit (I like a wildberry mix) on low heat. I sometimes add a few tablespoons of water to the sauce to smooth it out a bit. As the berries thaw and become soft, add granulated sugar, a tablespoon or two at a time, depending on how sweet and thick you want it! Keep stirring until the sauce thickens. Serve warm.

You can't go wrong with this yummy breakfast for your man!

Because the way to a man's heart is through his stomach,

♥ Dion