Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast Bake

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter 
• 3/4 cup (5.5 ounces) packed light or dark brown sugar 
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (can sub corn syrup or pancake syrup) 
• 6 (1-inch thick) slices French bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (see picture in the post) 
• 4 large eggs 
• 1 cup half-and-half 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• Sweetened whipped cream + fresh strawberries/raspberries, for serving 

Instructions

1. Add butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for 1-2 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Stir to combine. (This step can be done in a pan on the stove.)
2. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch pan with cooking spray.
3. Spread the brown sugar mixture in the bottom of the pan and arrange the bread cubes in a single layer over the top.
4. In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, and salt.
5. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread.
6. Cover the pan and refrigerate overnight (8-10 hours).
7. Remove the pan from the refrigerator, uncover, and place in the cold oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Once the oven reaches temperature, bake for 30-35 minutes, until the bread is golden and the caramelly syrup is bubbling (alternately, if you want the golden syrupy goodness on top, the french toast can be baked for 20 minutes, then using a large, flat spatula, flip the bread pieces and bake for another 10-15 minutes).
8. Serve immediately with sweetened whipped cream and fresh raspberries or strawberries.

Yield: 6-8 servings 

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Cook Time: 40 minutes 

Additional Time: 10 hours 

Total Time: 10 hours 50 minutes

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/overnight-creme-brulee-french-toast-bake/

Classic Irish Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup half and half
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Berry topping

• 1 cup strawberries (quartered)
• 6 oz blackberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp water

Directions

1. Press saute, melt butter in Instant Pot.  Add oats; cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Add water, salt and cinnamon; cook and stir 1 minute.
3. Secure lid and move pressure release valve to sealing position.  Select manual; cook at high pressure 13 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, prepare berry topping. (See below)
5. When cooking is complete, press cancel to turn off heat.  Use natural release for 10 minutes, then release remaining pressure.
6. Stir oats until smooth.  Add half-and-half and brown sugar; stir until well blended.
7. If a thicker porridge is desired, press Saute and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until desired thickness, stirring constantly. (Porridge will also thicken upon standing.) Serve with berry topping.

Directions for Berry topping

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Cook 8-9 minutes or until berries are tender but still hold their shape, stir occasionally.

Caramel

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 cups half and half
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2cups corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
Dipping Chocolate
Chopped nuts (optional)

*DO NOT DOUBLE* The mixture will boil up if you double it, it will spill over. 

Directions:

1. Use the butter you are going to melt in your pan and butter your glass 9x13 pan or 8 inch square pan before you put it in your pan.
2. In a heavy duty pan melt your butter then add sugar, half and half, corn syrup and salt.  Stir well.
3. Bring mixture to a boil on medium to medium hi heat stirring constantly.  When it first boils it will almost boil over the edge of the pan.
4. As the caramel boils down wash down the sides of the pan continuing to constantly stir.
5. For a firmer caramel cook until 240 degrees F.  For a softer caramel cook to 235 degrees
6. Remove from heat, add the vanilla and stir well.  If adding nuts add them now.
7. Pour into your buttered glass dish and let it cool.
8. Cut into squares and wrap in wax paper or dip in melted tempered dipping chocolate.  To make a salted caramel sprinkle with salt after dipping in chocolate before it hardens.
9. Store in an air tight container in a cool place. 

*Substitute for 2 cups of half and half is 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup milk.

*To use for caramel apples, fondue, and topping on apple pie cook caramel to 225 degrees.

From Betty Cressall

Grandma's Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

Ingredients: 
3 cups mashed fresh strawberries     
1 quart whipping cream
3 cups sugar                                      
1 quart half & half
4 eggs                                                 
1 can evaporated milk
2 TB lemon juice                                 
1 TB vanilla
Whole Milk                                           
Dash of salt

Directions: 
-Mash fruit and let stand for 1 hour with 1 cup of the sugar sprinkled over the top.
-Beat eggs with remaining sugar until lemon flavored & think.
-Add strawberries and put all in canister of 6 quart freezer.
-Whip cream and add to  ice cream mixture. 
-Then add half & half, evaporated milk,vanilla and salt.  Add enough whole milk to fill freezer.
-Freeze and enjoy.