Who doesn’t love French toast?

When you are done with the dishes after dinner, this is one of those recipes that you can prepare in 10 minutes immediately afterwards.  The start to your weekend or Sunday will be extra special!

It is as easy as slicing bread, mixing a simple custard, pouring it on the bread and refrigerating. Next morning, bake for 45 minutes and then brunch is ready!

I was inspired by Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen to make this dish. I had a jar of lemon curd and fresh strawberries at home so it was so meant to be. I love lemon curd. I use it to make lemon bars and  warm over pancakes is absolutely delicious. You can add it to frozen yogurt or vanilla ice cream too.  I just needed the brioche.

And since I am willing to do everything for you, I went to Whole Foods and got the brioche!

The buttery bread gets soaked in this lemony custard overnight, then I thought why not add the fresh strawberries so that they can release some of their juices while baking.

I sprinkled some brown sugar before I baked it just to add another layer of sweetness and caramel on the toasts.

It turns out like a lemon cake with hints of roasted strawberries! So delicious, everyone will think you were making brunch all morning, when in fact it only took you 10 minutes to put everything together.

It takes 45 minutes to bake so you have plenty of time to prepare everything to serve them. Fresh fruit, confectioners sugar, some fresh lemon zest to finish and maple syrup… oh and of course,  [not pictured] the coffee please!

I want to go see A Star is Born, all to see Lady Gaga to be honest. I just don’t know if anyone will want to come with me, sadly most my girls friends live in Miami and even England! So I may have to drag someone to the movies this weekend, I am not typing his name but he knows who he is…I will let you guys know how it went.

I hope you get a chance to try these French toast, I am sure you will love them as much as we did!

Here is the recipe.

Baked French Toast with Lemon Curd and Strawberries

Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients

5 eggs

1 1/2 cup (6 oz)  of 2% fat milk

1/3 cup of creme fraiche (you can also use plain yogurt)

1 tsp of vanilla extract

1/2 cup of lemon curd (I used this one)

1 loaf of Brioche or similar butter bread cut into 1/2 inch slices

1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

1 tsp of brown sugar

Toppings

2 tbs Confectioners sugar

Maple syrup

1 tsp of fresh lemon zest

Fresh strawberries

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.

Use some cooking spray or  butter to lightly grease your baking dish. I used a cast iron dutch oven.

Cut the brioche into 1/2 inch slices and place them overlapping in the prepared baking dish. Add the slices of fresh strawberries between the slices.

Whisk the eggs in a large bowl and add the milk, creme fraiche, vanilla. and lemon curd.

Pour mixture over the bread and make sure that it covers the slices evenly. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top. Cover and refrigerate overnight preferably.

Remove the French toast from the refrigerator and let stand for about 10 minutes before you bake them if not you will need to add a few minutes to the baking time.

Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until toasts are golden brown and the custard has settled.

Sprinkle with fresh lemon zest, confectioners sugar and serve with fresh strawberries and maple syrup!