1 / 1
Mini Berry French Toast Stratas
Soft in the center with lightly toasted tops, these individual baked French toast cups turn a standard breakfast into something special. You'll build them right in a muffin tin, letting whole wheat bread cubes soak up a rich custard spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of honey. While they bake, fresh berries macerate into a naturally sweet, syrupy topping. It's a brilliant way to serve a classic morning favorite without standing over a hot stove flipping slices.
Equipment
- Oven
- Muffin tin
Ingredients
- 3 cups assorted fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries or cut-up strawberries
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups cubes ( 3 ⁄ 4 inch) whole wheat bread (about 5 slices)
- 1 1 ⁄ 2 cups fat-free egg product or 6 eggs
- 1 ⁄ 2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
- 1 ⁄ 2 cup fat-free half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 1 ⁄ 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ⁄ 4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon powdered sugar, if desired
Instructions
- 1Mix the fresh berries and granulated sugar in a medium bowl, then set aside to macerate. This draws out the natural juices to create a quick syrup.
- 2Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
- 3Divide the whole wheat bread cubes evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
- 4Whisk the eggs, milk, half-and-half, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until smooth.
- 5Pour the egg custard over the bread cubes in the muffin tin. Press down gently on the bread with a spoon to help it absorb the liquid. Let them sit for up to 10 minutes if needed to soak up all the custard.
- 6Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the centers are fully set.
- 7Let the stratas cool in the pan for 5 minutes so they firm up and release easily. Transfer them to plates, then top with the berry mixture and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
- Make ahead: You can assemble the bread and custard in the muffin tin the night before. Cover and refrigerate, then bake fresh in the morning.
- Swap: Use challah or brioche instead of whole wheat bread for a richer, more decadent texture.
- Storage: Keep leftover stratas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven.
Recipe Details
About the Author
