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Prep Time: 35 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes |
Ready In: 70 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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Caterer Carrie Sherrill of Forestville, Wisconsin relates, This dressed-up French toast always gets rave reviews! Ingredients:
12 cups day-old italian bread cubes (1/2-inch cubes) |
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened |
1/2 cup sugar, divided |
1/2 teaspoon almond extract |
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries |
1/2 cup chopped pecans |
4 eggs |
1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream |
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
cherry syrup: |
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) sour cherries, chopped |
1 cup sugar |
1 cup corn syrup |
1/2 teaspoon almond extract |
Directions:
1. Place 8 cups of the bread cubes in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and extract until smooth. Stir in cherries and pecans; spoon over bread. Top with remaining bread cubes. 2. In a bowl, whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon and remaining sugar; pour over bread. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 3. For syrup, combine cherries, sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in extract. Serve warm over strata. Yield: 6-8 servings. |
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