Cardamom French Toast Bake

By Alex Hill – February 09, 2022

Your new favorite brunch dish, with soft, delicate sweetness that complements the Sparkling Brut Rosé. Floral notes and refreshing bubbles in the wine enhance the cardamom and cinnamon spices in the french toast bake.

Ingredients

1 challah bread, cut into ¼ inch thick pieces (day old so just leave it on your counter uncovered overnight)
1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
5 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cardamom
¼ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar
a good pinch of kosher salt

Brown Sugar Crumble

¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

Macerated Berries

½ cup raspberries
½ cup blueberries
½ cup blackberries
½ lemon, freshly juiced
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 lemon, zested
maple syrup & whipped cream for serving

Directions

Combine all ingredients, excluding the challah bread, in a large bowl.
Once heavy cream, spices, and eggs are mixed, pour the mixture over the challah, ensuring all the bread is soaked.
Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 3-6 hours in an oven-safe casserole dish or cast iron.
Prepare the brown sugar crumble and spoon it over the French toast bake.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
While the bake is cooking, prepare the macerated berries and let them sit for at least an hour to release their juices.
Serve the hot French toast bake with berries on top, whipped cream, and maple syrup.