Recipes - Breakfast

Pecan French Toast Souffle Strata

For best results, preheat oven for at least 1/2 hour before baking casserole.

Planning a holiday brunch? My Souffle Strata is a cross between a cinnamon raisin bread pudding and a souffle with a cheesy blintz-style filling. Crispy and fluffy just out of the oven, this souffle makes a stunning presentation that satisfies a crowd when served with warm maple syrup and a fresh fruit salad.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lay bread out on 2 baking sheets, then bake in preheated oven 10 minutes or until very lightly browned. Transfer toasted bread to a cooling rack and cool to room temperature. When bread is cooled, cut each slice in half in the width. Immediately spread nuts on one of the baking sheets and toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.
2. Liberally butter a 9"x13" glass baking pan and set aside.
3. In a large bowl with a hand mixer, thoroughly mix all of the Custard ingredients. Set aside.
4. In a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade, puree all of the Cheese Filling ingredients.
5. Arrange one layer of bread on bottom of the buttered pan; about 7 whole slices (14 halves) of bread. You may have to trim a couple of pieces to fit. Pour 2 cups of the Custard mixture over the bread.
6. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the filling onto the bread then spread evenly. Filling will mix slightly with the custard.
7. Arrange the remaining bread in three rows the width of the pan over the cheese filling so the slices overlap like an accordion. For interest, arrange the slices so that each of the three rows alternates in direction. Fill in the space at the end of the pan with the remaining four bread halves. Sprinkle with the toasted nuts then pour remaining custard evenly over the bread. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours or up to 24 hours before baking.
8. Let pan stand covered on the counter for 1-2 hours to bring to room temperature before baking. Meanwhile preheat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered 50-60 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. Cool on a rack 15 minutes before cutting into squares with a sharp knife. Serve using two metal spatulas. Offer with heated maple syrup, sour cream, applesauce or apple slices lightly sauteed in butter.