Overnight Pineapple French Toast

This was one of those recipes that was either going to be really good or really weird.

Turns out - it was good. Very tasty.

Our mother came across it in a book she was reading.

"Lakeside Cottage" by Susan Wiggs.

It is a summer romance novel, apparently. This is what the synopsis says, anyway.

I haven't actually read it.

What is a recipe doing in a novel? I have no idea. There was a few recipes in this one though. This was originally titled Porch Swing French Toast. Again, I have no idea why it's called that....I didn't read the book.

I did make the recipe though, with a few alterations.

The original called for orange juice and zest and made a huge 9 X 13 pan. I cut out the orange juice and zest (because, ewwww!) and halved the recipe to an 8 X 8 pan as there was just 3 of us to eat it.

Overnight Pineapple French Toast

(adapted from Porch Swing French Toast from "Lakeside Cottage")

Ingredients

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 a loaf of French bread (about 6 one inch slices)

2 eggs

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 8oz can crushed pineapple

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp nutmeg

sprinkle of cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped pecans

Topping

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp light corn syrup

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Melt the 1 Tbsp butter and drizzle in 8 X 8 pan.

Cut bread into 1 inch cubes and place in pan.

Combine all ingredients, except topping ingredients, and pour over bread cubes.

Combine topping ingredients, except nuts, and spoon/spread topping evenly over bread. Sprinkle with nuts.

(Before going in the fridge for the night)

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, preheat oven to 350. Bake at 350 for 45 - 60 minutes, or until golden.

Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes to set up before cutting. I figure the 8 X 8 pan serves 4.

Note - I didn't use the whole 1/2 French bread loaf and I should have. I think a bit more bread would have made it a little less soggy. Don't get me wrong - it still tasted delicious, the texture was just a little soggy for me. So, my advice, use the whole 1/2 loaf of bread.

Even if it looks like too much - it's not.

There you have it. A great overnight breakfast casserole for Christmas or anytime of year. I love the addition of the pineapple.

Who knew novels were great cookbooks?

I guess I should start reading more.