Breakfast Puff

This recipe is about as easy as it gets.  It has few ingredients, little direct involvement, and the kids love it.  I'm not a huge fan of the texture personally, but to the kids, it's like a gigantic pancake.  The love watching me pull it from the oven because it's enormous.  It sinks a bit after a few minutes, but the kids still think it's neat.  It is nice to have as a backup, for those days when you want to give the kids something warm and homemade, but not put a lot of time and effort into it.

Breakfast Puff

3 cups flour
3 cups milk
1 dozen eggs
1/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 450*

Combine the flour, milk and eggs in a large bowl, and whisk thoroughly. 

Place the butter in a 9x13 baking dish, and place in the oven.  Once the butter is melted, pour the batter into the hot dish.  Bake for 25 minutes exactly.  Do NOT open the oven door!  Wait until the timer goes off, and then remove the puff from the oven. 

Serve with pancake syrup, jelly, powdered sugar, or just about anything else you might like. 

Caramel Apple French Toast Strata

This is one of the best french toast casseroles I've ever had.  It's fairly versatile, too, which is nice.  I usually make two pans, one with apples, and one without.  Even with two pans, there are rarely leftovers. 

This is a good one for a breakfast potluck, too. 

Caramel Apple French Toast Strata

1 loaf French bread, cubed

2-4 oz cream cheese, cubed (according to preference... the original recipe called for 8oz, but I use much less)

2 apples, sliced

½-1 cup sliced almonds

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

¾ cup butter

¾ cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons corn syrup

Place half bread cubes into a greased 9x13 baking dish.  Cover with cream cheese cubes evenly.  Sprinkle with apple slices.  Top with remaining bread cubes and almonds.  Beat eggs, milk and cinnamon; pour over bread mixture.  (If making ahead of time cover and refrigerate overnight).  Make syrup by combining butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in saucepan and bring to a boil.  Pour over the top of the mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees F. for 35 minutes.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with syrup.