Creating Memories with French Toast Casserole: A Mother-Daughter Adventure
A Sweet Start to the Day- Triple Berry French Toast Casserole
On a sunny Sunday morning, the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafted through Emily’s kitchen. It was a special day; her daughter Sarah, a bright-eyed seven-year-old with an adventurous spirit, had decided they would make French Toast Casserole together.
It was a perfect recipe for a delightful mother-daughter bonding experience.
Gathering the Ingredients
Their kitchen counter was soon bustling with activity. Two loaves of French bread waited patiently to be transformed into something magical. Eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, honey, and an array of colorful berries lay neatly arranged, like the palette of an artist eager to paint.
Or, you can change it to this variation:
Ingredients For Your Triple Berry French Toast Casserole
- French bread loaf: Use a large bakery loaf (around 14-16 ounces) for the best results. (We love using french bread or brioche bread for ours.) Day old or slightly dried out bread works the best too!
- Berries: Use your favorite mix of berries! (We love using strawberries, blackberries and blueberries!)
- Cream cheese: You’ll need 1 block of cream cheese for this recipe.
- Eggs: You’ll need 6 large eggs for this recipe.
- Milk: Any type of milk works! (I’ve used regular and dairy free milks for this casserole and they’ve both turned out delicious!)
- Maple syrup: Use real maple syrup for the best results! It’s thinner and sweeter than other processed syrup and works so well for this french toast bake.
- Vanilla: One teaspoon goes into your french toast “batter” and a ¼ teaspoon goes in your sweetened cream cheese.
- Spices: Cinnamon and salt are all you need for your french toast casserole.
The Art of Mixing
Emily cracked the eggs with practiced ease, a skill she had honed over countless breakfasts. Sarah watched in awe, her small hands eager to help. Together, they whisked the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and honey into a smooth, fragrant mixture, laughing as they tried not to spill.
Constructing the Casserole
Sarah took great joy in cutting the bread into cubes, each piece a testament to her growing culinary skills. They arranged the bread in a 9×13 casserole dish, a canvas waiting for its masterpiece. Pouring the egg mixture over the bread, Sarah gently pressed down, ensuring each cube was soaked with love and flavor.
Berry Bliss
The true artists emerged as they decorated the casserole with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Each berry was placed with intention, Sarah’s small fingers carefully selecting the most vibrant ones.
The Magic of Waiting for the triple berry french toast casserole
After covering their creation with cling film, into the refrigerator it went. This waiting period was filled with anticipation and excitement. They chatted about the flavors, imagining how they would meld together, creating a symphony of taste.
Baking and Bonding
As the casserole baked at 350ºF, Emily and Sarah set the table, each item placed with care. The 35-40 minutes of baking felt like an eternity to Sarah, but Emily knew this was part of the magic – the build-up of anticipation and she couldn’t wait to taste the triple berry french toast casserole!
A Delicious Finale
Finally, the timer dinged, and the golden, bubbling casserole was ready. The sweet aroma filled the house, drawing everyone to the kitchen. Emily dusted it with powdered sugar, a final touch of sweetness.
Savoring the Moment
As they sat down to enjoy their French Toast Casserole, Emily looked at Sarah, her heart full. This was more than just breakfast; it was a memory etched in time, a testament to their bond. Each bite was a mix of sweet flavors and laughter, a reminder of the simple joys of cooking together.
A Recipe for Life
Emily knew these moments were precious. Today, it was a French Toast Casserole. Tomorrow, it might be something else. But the recipe was always the same – a cup of love, a spoonful of laughter, and the warmth of shared experiences.
As they cleared the table, Sarah’s eyes sparkled with happiness. “Can we bake something again next weekend, Mommy?” she asked. Emily smiled, her heart saying yes before her lips could. This was just the beginning of many more culinary adventures.
Recipe Notes:
- Feel free to use any bread, milk, or sweeteners you have.
- Get creative with toppings if berries aren’t your choice.
Nutritional Info: (Per Serving)
- Calories: 196kcal
- Carbs: 30g
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 5g
Enjoy your French Toast Casserole and the memories you create along the way!
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 loaves French bread
- ▢ 8 large eggs
- ▢ 1 1/2 cups milk of choice
- ▢ 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ▢ 1 tsp cinnamon
- ▢ 2/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- ▢1 cup strawberries sliced
- ▢ 1/2 cup blueberries
- ▢ 1/2 cup raspberries
- ▢ Optional: 1 tbsp powdered sugar to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Cut the bread loaves into 1-inch cubes and add them to a 9×13 casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and honey.
- Whisk the mixture until smooth. Pour the mixture into the casserole, over your bread cubes, then gently press to soak into the egg mixture.
- Top the casserole with your fresh berries, then cover with cling film and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
- Bake the casserole for 35-40 minutes.
- Decorate with powdered sugar and more fresh berries, if desired.
- Use any bread of your choice
- You may use 2% milk or dairy-free milk
- If you do not have honey, you can swap it with maple syrup or agave
- Get creative with your toppings, if you prefer not to use berries.
It’s not just about cooking here at the littleslearningcorner.com!
Turning the preparation of French Toast Casserole into a learning experience for children is a fantastic idea. Both mothers and teachers can use this activity to teach various educational concepts in a fun and engaging way. Here are some ideas:
1. Mathematics Skills:
- Measuring Ingredients: Teach children about measurements and fractions. Let them measure the milk, honey, and berries. This can help them understand concepts like halves, quarters, and cups.
- Counting and Sorting: Have children count the eggs, or sort berries by color or size, enhancing their counting and sorting skills.
2. Reading and Comprehension:
- Following a Recipe: Reading the recipe aloud can improve reading skills. Discuss the meaning of new words they encounter in the recipe.
- Comprehension Questions: Ask questions about the recipe, like “What comes next after adding the eggs?” to test their understanding.
3. Science Exploration:
- Chemical Reactions: Explain how heat changes the ingredients, like how the eggs solidify when baked.
- Nutrition Education: Discuss the nutritional value of the ingredients, such as proteins in eggs and vitamins in berries.
4. Sensory Development:
- Textures and Smells: Let children touch and smell the ingredients, discussing the textures (crunchy bread, squishy berries) and aromas.
- Taste Testing: Encourage them to taste the berries or a small sample of the bread, fostering their taste development and vocabulary.
5. Art and Creativity:
- Decorating the Casserole: Allow children to get creative in arranging the berries on top of the casserole. This enhances their artistic skills.
- Drawing or Coloring: They could draw the casserole or the ingredients, furthering their artistic expression.
If you like this approach to cooking and teaching, make sure to check out this post!