Breakfast gets an upgrade with these Almond-Crusted French Toast Sticks with Strawberry Dipping Sauce! Thick slices of bread are dipped in an orange and almond-scented egg custard, then coated in crunchy sliced almonds and cooked to golden perfection. Sliced into batons, this French toast is ideal for dipping into the pièce de résistance: An orange-liqueur infused strawberry dipping sauce made with Bonne Maman preserves. It's a fantastic recipe for breakfast in bed, brunch or a special gathering.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bonne Maman. As always, all opinions here are my own!
Being a mom is such a strange juxtaposition of emotions most days. There are moments of sheer pride and joy that can quickly fade into intense frustration and embarrassment. {Hello, grocery store meltdown}. There are days filled with the longing for nothing but an eternity of sweet hugs and precious smiles followed by the desire to have one blessed moment to yourself. There are nights of worrying that you're doing everything wrong and will end up raising a poorly adjusted, friendless, entitled, goal-less child {thanks, internet} that are quickly erased when you see glimmers of the amazing being your little person is becoming.
It is not a job for the faint of heart, mothering.
And for that reason, we take one day a year to say, "Thanks, Mom!" for the 8,736 hours of work and love she puts in all the other days. {Gee, when you put it that way, doesn't one day seem a little dinky?}
It's true that most moms are content with a sticker-covered card, a macaroni necklace and an onslaught of hugs and kisses on Mother's Day, but if you really want to show Mom your love and appreciation this year, you can "Say It With Homemade" in a way that will fill her heart AND satisfy her belly! These Almond-Crusted French Toast Sticks with Strawberry Dipping Sauce speak a thousand words... especially when they're served after a morning of sleeping in!
Thick slices of bread are dipped in an orange and almond-scented egg custard, then coated in crunchy sliced almonds and cooked to golden perfection. Sliced into batons, this French toast is ideal for dipping into the pièce de résistance: An orange-liqueur infused strawberry dipping sauce made with Bonne Maman preserves!
Made from the finest, natural ingredients, Bonne Maman preserves bring dishes to the next level, whether slathered on a croissant, dolloped over oatmeal or parfaits, or turned into sweet, luxurious sauces. The ingredients are simple -- the stuff you'd find in a grandma's pantry {hence the name "Bonne Maman" which translates to "Granny."}.
One bite of this homemade breakfast and Mom will know just how much you care -- extra points if you wash the dishes, too!
And speaking of dishes, you can enter to win an amazing 12-piece set of Le Creuset cookware {seriously, a dream} just by clicking on the banner below.
A mom's life may be filled to the brim with oodles of feelings, but when you make breakfast for her this Mother's Day, she'll only feel one thing: grateful!
Almond-Crusted French Toast Sticks with Strawberry Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon sugar {or honey}
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 drops almond extract
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- 4 pieces thick-sliced day-old bread {Challah works well}
- ½ cup sliced almonds
For Sauce:
- ½ cup Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon orange liqueur {such as Cointreau}
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a large baking sheet by lining with foil. Set aside.
- Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Place sliced almonds on a plate in an even layer.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar {or honey}, vanilla extract, almond extract and orange zest.
- Dunk each piece of bread briefly into the milk mixture, flipping over to coat both sides. {Try not to over-saturate.} Allow the excess to drip off into the bowl, then quickly put bread directly onto the plate of sliced almonds and press down lightly to adhere. Flip and repeat on the other side. Repeat the process with the remaining pieces of bread.
- Place almond-coated bread in the skillet, and allow to cook until the almonds turn golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook other side. {The bread might still seem a little soggy at this point.}
- Remove from skillet and place onto foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 5-7 minutes {flip half way through cooking time if desired} until the bread is golden brown and is no longer wet -- it should seem a bit more "set."
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly while you make the sauce.
- For sauce: In a small saucepan, heat Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves with a tablespoon of water over medium-high heat, whisking to loosen the preserves. Bring the mixture to a bubble, then reduce heat slightly and allow to simmer for about a minute to a minute and half.
- Remove from heat and add orange liqueur, whisking until combined.
- To serve: Cut French toast into sticks for easy dipping, if desired, and arrange on a plate. Pour strawberry dipping sauce into a serving dish and serve alongside French toast sticks.
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