Crunchy Berry Bliss French Toast
Elevate your breakfast with this indulgent Crunchy Berry Bliss French Toast, inspired by the beloved recipe from Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: an All-American Road Trip…With Recipes!'. This dish celebrates the flavor and creativity of the Blue Moon Café in Baltimore, Maryland. The combination of crispy Cap'n Crunch cereal coating perfectly cooked French toast slices paired with marinated seasonal berries creates a delightful, textural contrast. Prepare the berries the night before by coating them with maple sugar and letting them marinate in the refrigerator for an extra boost of flavor. Perfect for weekend brunch or a special breakfast treat, this recipe serves four and is a delightful way to start your day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
heavy cream
3/4 cup (none)
large eggs
3 (lightly beaten)
sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
Cap'n Crunch cereal
3 cups (crushed)
Texas toast or French bread
8-10 slices (none)
butter
for cooking (none)
heavy cream
1 cup (for topping)
confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons (for topping)
pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (for topping)
fresh seasonal berries
2 cups (assorted and sliced (preferably marinated overnight))
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, lightly beaten eggs, sugar, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
2
To prepare the crunchy coating, place the Cap'n Crunch cereal in a plastic storage bag and crush it using a rolling pin until it turns into fine crumbs resembling cracker meal. Pour the crushed cereal into a shallow dish for easy coating.
3
Take a couple of slices of bread and gently moisten them in the cream mixture until they are soft but not completely soaked. Allow any excess liquid to drip off, then press the bread slices into the crushed cereal, making sure each piece is evenly coated. Place the coated slices on a sheet pan, and repeat the process with the remaining bread.
4
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add butter as needed, then carefully place the coated bread in the skillet. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and caramelized. Ensure to monitor closely to prevent burning.
5
While the French toast cooks, prepare the topping by beating the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and pure vanilla extract in a large bowl with a hand mixer until soft peaks form.
6
To serve, stack the warm, crunchy French toast on plates and generously dollop the whipped cream mixture on top. Add the marinated seasonal berries alongside, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crunchy Berry Bliss French Toast?
It is an indulgent breakfast dish featuring bread coated in crushed Cap'n Crunch cereal, served with homemade whipped cream and marinated seasonal berries.
What inspired this specific French toast recipe?
The recipe is inspired by the Blue Moon Café in Baltimore, Maryland, as featured in Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: an All-American Road Trip…With Recipes!'.
Which cereal is used for the crunchy coating?
Cap'n Crunch cereal is used to create the signature crunchy exterior.
How do I prepare the cereal for the coating?
Place the cereal in a plastic storage bag and crush it with a rolling pin until it becomes fine crumbs resembling cracker meal.
What type of bread should I use?
The recipe recommends using 8-10 slices of Texas toast or French bread.
What ingredients are in the dipping batter?
The batter consists of 3/4 cup heavy cream, 3 lightly beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
How long should I soak the bread in the cream mixture?
Moisten the slices until they are soft, but be careful not to let them become completely soaked or soggy.
How do I apply the cereal coating to the bread?
After dipping the bread in the cream mixture and letting excess liquid drip off, press the slices into the crushed cereal until evenly coated.
What is the best way to cook the French toast?
Cook the slices in a buttered skillet or griddle over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
How do I know when the French toast is finished cooking?
The toast is ready when both sides are golden brown and caramelized.
How should I prepare the berries for this recipe?
The berries should be assorted, sliced, and preferably coated in maple sugar to marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
How do I make the whipped cream topping?
Beat 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract using a hand mixer until soft peaks form.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve four people.
What temperature should I use for the skillet?
You should use medium heat to ensure the cereal coating caramelizes without burning.
Can I prepare the berries the night before?
Yes, marinating the berries overnight in the refrigerator provides an extra boost of flavor.
What is the texture of this dish?
It offers a delightful textural contrast between the crispy cereal coating and the soft, cream-soaked bread.
Should the eggs be beaten before adding to the batter?
Yes, the 3 large eggs should be lightly beaten before being whisked into the heavy cream.
What is used to grease the skillet?
Butter is added to the skillet or griddle as needed for cooking.
Is this recipe suitable for brunch?
Absolutely, it is described as perfect for weekend brunch or as a special breakfast treat.
What kind of vanilla extract is recommended?
The recipe calls for pure vanilla extract in both the batter and the whipped cream topping.
What should I use to crush the cereal?
A rolling pin is the recommended tool for crushing the cereal inside a plastic bag.
What is the recommended serving style?
Stack the warm French toast on plates, add a generous dollop of whipped cream, and serve the marinated berries alongside.
How many slices of bread are required?
You will need between 8 and 10 slices of bread.
What should I do with excess liquid after dipping the bread?
Allow any excess cream mixture to drip off the bread before pressing it into the cereal crumbs.
Can I use a griddle instead of a skillet?
Yes, either a large skillet or a griddle will work for cooking the French toast.
What ingredients are needed for the berries?
You need 2 cups of fresh seasonal berries and maple sugar for marinating.
How much cereal is needed for the coating?
The recipe requires 3 cups of Cap'n Crunch cereal.
What kind of sugar is used in the whipped cream?
Confectioners' sugar (also known as powdered sugar) is used for the topping.
Does this recipe fall under a specific cuisine?
It is considered a classic example of American comfort food and breakfast cuisine.
Why is it important to monitor the toast closely while frying?
The cereal coating contains sugar which can burn quickly if not monitored during the 3-4 minute cooking process per side.