I love french toast.  It’s probably one of my favorite breakfasts, especially on cold snowy mornings like the ones we had this weekend.  While I love eating french toast it can be kind of a pain to make for more than one person if you’re planning on enjoying the meal together! I always end up with some hot pieces and some cold pieces that have deflated a little bit, so I decided to try making a french toast style strata.  This would be a terrific brunch to make if you have company staying over since it only requires about 15 minutes of prep before you stick it in the oven, and it looks pretty fancy in the end! Let me tell you…it was fantastic and easy!

I used half a loaf of Challa bread because its soft and delicious.  I cut the bread in to thick slices which were then cut in to either 2 or 3 pieces depending on the width of the slice.  In a large mixing bowl I beat six eggs and a 1/3 cup 1% Milk, along with a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of  vanilla, a pinch of salt, and 2 table spoons of sugar.  Next, I  gently folded in the slices of bread and let them soak up the egg mixture for about 5 minutes. I spooned the mixture out in to a lightly greased 9×9 baking dish and topped it with a cinnamon sugar mixture and pieces of candied ginger. (Both are optional, I happened to have them in the pantry so used them!)  After about half an hour in a 375 degree oven, I had a fluffy& golden cinnamon sugar french toast strata! Smothered in maple syrup and served along side mixed berries this brunch was simply divine.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!