Today, I awoke with a longing for the weekend, yet here we are, just midweek. The thought of two more days feels like an eternity with my workload piling up. Though I genuinely enjoy my job, this week has its fair share of challenges. To lift my spirits, I opted to prepare something a bit unconventional for dinner—something reminiscent of weekend brunch. French toast has always been a cherished favorite of mine, evoking memories from my youth. Whenever I find myself craving breakfast, French toast is often my go-to solution.
However, this is not your average French toast. I pride myself on creativity in the kitchen, and today, I made sumptuous French toast cups filled with berries. Each cup serves as an individual portion, eliminating the need for sharing. This is particularly advantageous, given that my family has different berry preferences. While I adore blackberries, strawberries are not my cup of tea, and my children aren’t fans of blackberries either. These individual cups allow for customization, letting each person indulge in their favorite fruit.
The recipe is straightforward: a custardy mixture is poured over cubed day-old bread—a fantastic way to use up leftover bread. If you haven’t explored the day-old bread section at your local grocery store, I highly recommend it. You can find some great deals there.
Once all the ingredients are blended, I carefully filled the cups, ensuring that the delicate berries were not carelessly tossed in, which can lead to bruising. Presentation matters to me, and I prefer my food to look appealing.
When the cups emerged from the oven, not only were they visually stunning, but the aroma of vanilla and sugar wafted through the air, tantalizing everyone in the house. The kids, eager for a taste, certainly had to practice patience, but the result was worth the wait. The French toast cups were crisp and buttery on the outside, with a custard-like texture on the inside, bursting with flavorful fruit in every bite.
With each bite, I could almost convince myself that it was the weekend, as the flavor was truly delightful. If you share my passion for brunch foods, I encourage you to try these cups this weekend. But who says you have to wait? Brunch can be enjoyed any day of the week!
Berry French Toast Cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Serves: 12
Ingredients:
- 16 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 loaf of day-old bread (Italian works well), cubed
- 1 stick of butter, melted
- 1 cup light cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh berries (your choice)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line a muffin pan with liners, or grease the muffin tin directly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, cream, melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, gently tossing to ensure all are coated.
- Fill each muffin well halfway, placing berries in the center.
- Add more bread cubes until the muffin well is full, then top with additional berries.
- Bake in a 350ºF oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown and the egg mixture has set.
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Summary:
These French toast cups offer a delightful brunch experience with customizable berry options, providing a unique and visually appealing dish that can be enjoyed any day of the week.