Overnight Nutella French Toast

You can thank Zack for this one.

Although I am not quite a mother yet, I am a mother-to-be (only 3 months left until Baby is here). Zack being the loving husband he is, wanted to do something me on Mother's Day.  I am not sure how he came across this recipe, but  knowing I love french toast, nutella, and breakfast in general he thought this would be the perfect thing to make for me and man was he right!  I helped him a little with the preparation, not because it is difficult, but because I like to be in the kitchen.   You prepare the french toast the night before you want to make it, then just pop it in the oven in the morning.  Zack let me sleep in while this was baking; such a thoughtful guy.  This french toast is incredibly delicious.  I loved it so much that I asked if it could be a Mother's Day tradition.  

Overnight Nutella French Toast
original recipe found on mint.com

served 6 -8 depending on how large your slices

6 eggs

two cups whole milk or heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 loaf Challah or Brioche, sliced into 10 slices 

Nutella

Butter

Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour a half-cup maple syrup on bottom.


In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until somewhat frothy and set aside. 


Smear five slices of bread generously with Nutella and top with another slice each to make five sandwiches.  Cut each diagonally into quarters. Soak each quarter in custard mixture for one to two minutes, flipping to coat evenly. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Pour the rest of the custardover the top and dot the top with butter.  Refrigerate overnight. 


Bake at 365 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown.

Sweet Peach Tea Cupcakes

I am from Georgia after all.

It is true, I grew up in Georgia and to this day love the smell and taste of ripe peaches.  Last summer when I was trying to come up with flavors for a friends bridal shower I thought a sweet tea cupcake with be a fun addition to accompany the Mint Julep Cupcakes and Luscious Lemon Cupcakes.  Coming up with this recipe was a bit of a gamble, since I was not sure of the best way to develop the flavor, but in the end I was more than pleased with the results.  I ended up using Crystal Light Peach flavored Iced Tea powder to flavor these cupcakes and could not believe how well it worked.  They are delicious and perfect for summer


Sweet Peach Tea Cupcakes
recipe from Baked Perfection

recipe makes approximately 30 cupcakes

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 packets Crystal Light in Peach Iced Tea Flavor (each packet makes 2 Quarts of Crystal Light)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In a medium bowl combine the flour, crystal light mix, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (batter will be thick). Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups with 1/4 cup of batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 

Sweet Peach Tea Frosting

recipe by Baked Perfection

2 sticks of butter, softened

6 cups powdered sugar

pinch of salt

1 packet Crystal Light in Peach Iced Tea Flavor (each packet makes 2 Quarts of Crystal Light)

1/2 cup milk

Beat butter and salt until smooth.  Mix half the packet of Crystal Light with the milk.  Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time to the butter, beating until combined. Add milk/ Crystal Light mixture 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency.  If the peach flavor is not strong enough for your tastes, just sprinkle in a little bit of the remaining Crystal Light packet and mix until combined.

Mint Julep Cupcakes

It's Derby Time

In honor of the Kentucky Derby this upcoming weekend, I decided to share with you my recipe for mint julep cupcakes.  To tell you the truth, I have never been to the Kentucky Derby nor have I tried a Mint Julep.  I am not going to lie, I am allured by the sun dresses and large hats, but could honestly do without a horse race.  I suppose for now I will stick to baking.  I made these cupcakes in miniature version for a friends bridal shower last summer and have been saving them just for this occasion.  The mint and bourbon are very delicate and add just a little something special to these cupcakes.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them and I think you will too.  I think they would be great garnished with a mint leave and a drinking straw.  The recipe below is for the full sized version.

Mint Julep Cupcakes

recipe by Baked Perfection

recipe makes approximately 30 cupcakes

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

6 tablespoons bourbon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon mint extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the bourbon, vanilla and mint; mix well. Add the flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (batter will be thick). Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups with 1/4 cup of batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 

Mint Julep Frosting

recipe by Baked Perfection

2 sticks of butter, softened

6 cups powdered sugar

pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon mint extract

4 tablespoons bourbon

2 - 4 tablespoons milk

green food coloring

Beat butter, bourbon, mint, and salt until smooth.  Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating until combined. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency.  Add drops of green food coloring until you reach desired color.

(Also pictured: Luscious Lemon Cupcakes and Sweet Peach Tea Cupcakes)