Vanilla Cinnamon French Toast

I don't know how the weather has been where you live, but it's been a bit strange here.  First a warm day, then a cold day, then a rainy day, and then a snowy day... completely crazy!  We'll have temps in the 60s later this week, but this morning we awoke to a blanket of ice on everything.  Of course ice equals no school, much to the delight of my teenagers.  They took advantage of the extra time by sleeping in.  I took advantage of the extra time by making a special breakfast that would normally be reserved for the weekend.  This recipe is an adaptation of one given to me by one of my sisters years ago - we love the warm hints of vanilla and cinnamon.

Gather the ingredients.

Make the batter by combining the milk, eggs, flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. I like to use a drink blender.

Whiz it up.

Pour the batter into a container that will allow you to dip the bread into it.

I really like to use French bread, but feel free to use any kind of bread - raisin, challah, egg, potato, whole grain, wheat, even soft squishy white bread!

Brown on both sides.

Mmmmmm.

Enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• nutribullet https://amzn.to/3WyWltT

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3v3mchK

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Vanilla Cinnamon French Toast

serves 6-8

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Batter:

• 3/4 cups milk

• 3 large eggs

• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 french baguette, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

Directions

1. To Make the cinnamon sugar, combine cinnamon and sugar together; set aside.

2. To Make the batter, use a personal personal blender or food processor to combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, eggs, milk, and vanilla; blend thoroughly (the dry ingredients tend to clump together if you mix them by hand).

3. Pour the batter into a shallow dish.

4. Soak bread in batter for about 30 seconds per side (less time for very soft breads).

5. Preheat cast iron skillet over medium heat.

6. Spray with nonstick spray and add a tablespoon of butter.

7. Cook bread on each side until brown; repeating batches until all the batter is used up.

8. Serve with cinnamon sugar, butter, and pure maple syrup (if desired).

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes from Cooking Light

I'm trying to incorporate more whole grains into our diet - so when I saw this recipe for whole wheat buttermilk pancakes on Taking On Magazines one recipe at a time I had to try it (btw, Christiane is a scream - you have to visit her blog if you haven't already).  The recipe is from Cooking Light so I had a feeling it would be awesome - and it was!  These pancakes are healthy, light, and utterly delicious - quite possibly the best pancakes I've ever eaten.

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Printable Recipe

makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all purpose flour

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk (see note below)

• 1 tablespoon canola oil

• 1 large egg

• 1 large egg white

• non-stick cooking spray

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, canola oil, and eggs; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients (except the non-stick cooking spray); add the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.

3. Preheat a griddle and spray with non-stick cooking spray over medium heat.

4. Ladle about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the griddle.

5. When edges are set and tiny bubbles start to appear, flip and cook on second side until done.

Note

• Homemade buttermilk: For each cup of buttermilk needed, combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with enough milk to equal one level cup.  Stir and wait 5-10 minutes until the milk begins to curdle and thicken slightly.  Use right away. 

adapted from Cooking Light's The New Way To Cook Light