Oven-Baked French Toast With Mixed Berry Sauce

As meals go, breakfast typically is the least expensive of the day. Eggs, bread and milk are relatively cheap and with the right recipe can become more than the usual omelettes and toast. Oven-baked French toast with mixed berry sauce is inexpensive to prepare and is impressive enough for company, yet simple enough to make for a Sunday brunch with family. The easy-to-make-sauce uses inexpensive frozen mixed berries, but the recipe is flexible. An equal amount of any frozen berries can be substituted. The sauce will keep, in an airtight container, for up to a week.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  loaf  white bread, sliced, ends discarded
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 6  large eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2  cups milk, low-fat

• INGREDIENTS FOR BERRY SAUCE

• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 2  teaspoons cornstarch
• 3  cups frozen mixed berries
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 2  tablespoons water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375F Lightly coat a 9x13 baking dish with cookng spray.
2. Arrange enough whole bread slices in a single layer to cover bottom of dish. Cut remaining slices in half on diagonal and arrange in overlapping rows on top. You should have 3 rows of bread triangles. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and nutmeg. Whisk in eggs and vanilla until well-blended. Gradually whisk in milk.
4. Slowly and evenly pour egg mixture over bread slices and let soak for 5 minutes. Use a fork or spatula to gently press down on bread to ensure it is evenly soaked.
5. Baked for 30-40 minutes or until French toast is puffed. Sprinkle top of French toast with sugar, then set oven to broil. Broil French toast until sugar is melted and bread is lightly browned.
6. BERRY SAUCE:.
7. While French toast bakes, in a small bowl, combine lemon juice and cornstarch. Set aside.
8. In a medium saucepan, combine berries, sugar, water and salt. Bring to a simmer and stir in lemon juice mixture. Simmer, stirring often, until sauce thickens slightly about 2 minutes longer. Let cool.
9. When French toast is done baking, serve immediately topped with mixed berry sauce.