BAKED BLACKBERRY RICOTTA FRENCH TOAST

Baked BlackBerry Ricotta French Toast image

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 dash Powdered Sugar and Maple Syrup
1/4 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Fresh Blackberries
4 tablespoons Salted Butter, Melted
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Lemon Zest
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
16 ounces Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
1 1/2 cups Whole Milk
6 Eggs, Beaten
10 ounces Blackberry or Blueberry Preserves
1 loaf Chalian Bread, Sliced Into 1 Inch Thick Slices

Steps:

1. Grease a 9x13 inch-baking dish with butter.
2. Slice each piece of bread in half, cutting almost all the way through, but leaving a 1/4 inch at the bottom. Spread the inside of the bread with blackberry jam, press to enclose.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1 cup ricotta, maple syrup, vanilla, lemon zest, salt and butter. Submerge each piece of break into the egg mixture, allowing the bread to sit at least a minute and soak up the eggs. Arrange the bread in the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread slices.
4. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle half the blackberries over top the french toast. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the French toast is golden and crisp. If the tops of the bread begin to brown too quickly, loosely cover the french toast with foil.
5. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the remaining 1 cup ricotta. Stir in 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, if desired.
6. Serve the french toast warm. topped with whipped ricotta, fresh berries, and maple syrup. Enjoy!