Gourmet Baked Blueberry Pecan French Toast with Maple Blueberry Drizzle
Indulge in this exquisite Baked Blueberry Pecan French Toast, a delightful twist on the classic breakfast dish. Perfect for entertaining and special occasions, this recipe combines the richness of custard-soaked bread with the nutty crunch of pecans and bursts of juicy blueberries. With a preparation time that requires minimal effort and can be done the night before, you can focus on enjoying the moment with your loved ones. The luxurious blueberry syrup adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful presentation, making it not only a treat for your palate but also a feast for the eyes. Serve it warm straight from the oven, and savor the comforting flavors that will make your breakfast unforgettable.
N/A
Servings
750
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pecan halves
1 cup (Toast in the oven until fragrant and sprinkle with salt.)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (Toasted pecans.)
Baguette
1 (12 ounce) (Preferably day-old, cut into 1 1/2 inch thick slices.)
Eggs
5 (Large eggs.)
Milk
1 1/2 cups (Whole milk preferred.)
Light brown sugar
3/4 cup, packed (Divided into ½ cup for soaking mixture and ¼ cup for butter mixture.)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (Pure vanilla extract.)
Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (Freshly grated if possible.)
Unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (Cut into small pieces for drizzling.)
Blueberries
2 cups (Fresh or frozen; for topping before baking.)
Blueberries
1 cup (For the syrup.)
Pure maple syrup
1/2 cup (For mixing with blueberries.)
Fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (Freshly squeezed.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread pecan halves in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from oven, sprinkle with salt, and set aside.
2
Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish generously to prevent sticking.
3
Slice the baguette into 1 ½-inch thick pieces and arrange them in a single layer in the baking dish. Reserve any extra slices for another purpose, avoiding stacking to ensure even cooking.
4
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, ½ cup of brown sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until well combined.
5
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the arranged bread, making sure each slice is coated. Turn the slices if necessary to ensure full saturation.
6
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard mixture.
7
The next morning, take the baking dish out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
8
Once the oven is ready, sprinkle the toasted pecans and 2 cups of blueberries evenly over the soaked French toast.
9
In a small saucepan, combine the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the butter melts completely, then drizzle this mixture over the bread.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the blueberry juices are bubbling and the bread is heated through.
11
To prepare the blueberry syrup, combine 1 cup of blueberries and the maple syrup in another saucepan. Cook over medium heat, gently stirring, until most berries burst, about 3 to 5 minutes.
12
Using a sieve, pour the syrup into a heatproof pitcher, pressing the solids to extract maximum flavor. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and keep warm in a pan of water until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
37g
Fat
92g
Carbs
10g
Protein
5g
Fiber
25g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gourmet Baked Blueberry Pecan French Toast?
It is a luxurious breakfast dish featuring custard-soaked baguette slices, toasted pecans, and juicy blueberries, served with a homemade maple blueberry drizzle.
How long does the French toast need to soak?
The bread should soak in the custard mixture for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to ensure full saturation.
Can this recipe be prepared in advance?
Yes, it is specifically designed for minimal morning effort by preparing the soak the night before.
What type of bread is best for this recipe?
A 12-ounce baguette is used, and it is recommended to be day-old for better absorption.
What are the ingredients for the custard?
The custard consists of five large eggs, 1.5 cups of milk, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg.
How do I prepare the pecans?
Toast the pecan halves at 350°F for about 8 minutes until fragrant, then sprinkle them with salt.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, you can use either fresh or frozen blueberries for both the topping and the syrup.
What temperature should the oven be for the final bake?
The French toast should be baked at 400°F (200°C).
How long does the dish take to bake?
The baking time is approximately 20 to 25 minutes until the juices are bubbling.
How is the maple blueberry drizzle made?
Combine one cup of blueberries with maple syrup, cook until the berries burst, strain the mixture, and stir in lemon juice.
Why is lemon juice added to the syrup?
The fresh lemon juice is stirred in at the end to add brightness and enhance the flavor of the blueberry syrup.
What size baking dish is required?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended.
How thick should the baguette slices be?
The baguette should be cut into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe calls for five large eggs.
What kind of milk should I use?
The recipe suggests using 1 1/2 cups of milk, with whole milk being the preferred choice.
How much brown sugar is needed for the topping?
A 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar is mixed with butter to drizzle over the top before baking.
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifies 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
What is the calorie count for this dish?
This French toast contains 750 calories per serving.
How much fat is in a serving?
There are 37 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
The dish contains 92 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this recipe provide?
Each serving provides 10 grams of protein.
Does this French toast have fiber?
Yes, it contains 5 grams of fiber.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
There are 25 grams of sugar per serving.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 13 unique ingredients in this recipe.
Should the dish be cold when it goes into the oven?
No, you should let the dish sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
How do I ensure the bread doesn't stick?
Butter the 9x13-inch baking dish generously before arranging the bread slices.
Can I stack the bread slices?
The recipe recommends a single layer to ensure even cooking and saturation; avoid stacking.
How many blueberries are used in total?
A total of 3 cups are used: 2 cups for the bake and 1 cup for the syrup.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to drizzle the warm blueberry maple syrup over the baked French toast slices.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is tagged as perfect for special occasions, entertaining, and brunch due to its gourmet presentation.