French Toast & Pancakes & Waffles - Please Your Guests with a Tasty Brunch Tradition

Whatever you choose from this category, it's sure to be a hit at your brunch! Try a French Toast dish you can make ahead to give you more time the day of your event. And you can prepare pancakes or waffles a little ahead and keep them warm in the oven.

Don't forget to experiment with toppings. See our Butters, Jams, & Spreads and Dips, Dressings, & Sauces pages for some great ideas.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us at recipes@brunchandbeyond.com.

Baked Cinnamon French Toast	Orange Pancakes
French Toast Sandwiches	Waffles
Fruity French Toast

Baked Cinnamon French Toast

1 loaf French bread, crust included, cut into 1-in. pieces
8 eggs
2 c. milk
1 1/2 c. half-and-half
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbs. sugar

Topping:
1 1/3 c. brown sugar
1 tbs. cinnamon
3/4 c. butter, softened
3 tbs. light corn syrup

Chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

1. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, half-and-half, vanilla, and sugar. Mix gently, then stir in bread pieces.
3. Pour mixture into the prepared dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over bread mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes.
5. To serve, drizzle with syrup and top with nuts, if desired.

French Toast Sandwiches
Makes 6 servings

12 slices Canadian bacon
6 slices Monterey Jack cheese
12 slices French bread, cut 1/2-in. thick
3/4 c. eggnog
3 tbs. butter
6 tbs. strawberry preserves, optional

1. Lay out six slices of bread. Place two slices of bacon and a slice of cheese on each bread slice. Top with the remaining bread.
2. Place eggnog in a shallow dish. Dip sandwiches in eggnog.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet or griddle. Toast sandwiches until the bread is lightly browned on both sides.
4. Serve with strawberry preserves, if desired.

Fruity French Toast
Partially prepared the night before, this fruit-laden French toast makes a delicious syrup of its own while it bakes, so no other topping is necessary.

1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-in. thick slices
5 eggs
3/4 c. milk
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (20-oz.) bag frozen whole strawberries
4 ripe sliced bananas
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

The Night Before:
1. In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add milk, baking powder, and vanilla and mix well. Add bread slices and stir to combine.
2. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The Next Morning:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Combine sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, combine strawberries, bananas, and 1/2 c. sugar and spice mixture. Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared dish and top with the bread mixture.
4. Sprinkle with the remaining sugar and spice mixture.
5. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes and then uncovered for 10 minutes or until tops of the bread slices are nicely browned.

Orange Pancakes
Makes 12 pancakes

7 tbs. sugar, divided
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. orange juice, divided
2 c. baking mix
2 eggs
3/4 c. milk

1. In a saucepan, combine 4 tbs. sugar, cornstarch, and 3/4 c. orange juice. Stir until smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, combine baking mix and remaining sugar in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and remaining orange juice together. Stir wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just moistened.
3. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle on medium heat. Turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes. Cook until second side is golden brown.
4. Serve with the orange sauce.

Waffles
Makes 12 4-inch or 3 9-inch waffles

2 eggs
2 c. all-purpose or whole wheat flour
1/2 c. vegetable oil, margarine, or melted butter
1 3/4 c. milk
1 tbs. white or brown sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

1. Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.
2. Beat eggs in a medium bowl until fluffy. Beat in remaining ingredients just until smooth.
3. Using a cup or pitcher, pour batter onto the center of the hot waffle iron. Bake about 5 minutes or until steaming stops.
4. Remove waffle carefully.