BAKED CHALLAH FRENCH TOAST

Baked Challah French Toast image

Provided by Molly Yeh

Time 7h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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6 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup part-skim or whole-milk ricotta
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 large eggs
1 lemon, zested and juiced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 thick-sliced (3/4- to 1-inch) day-old challah bread slices
1 cup frozen blueberries
Powdered sugar, for serving

Steps:

Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg in a small bowl and mix to combine. Set aside. In a large bowl, add the milk, ricotta, vanilla, salt, eggs and lemon zest. Whisk to combine and set aside. Pour the melted butter in a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. Dip each slice of bread lightly in the egg mixture and shingle the bread in the casserole dish, sprinkling a large pinch of the sugar mixture on each layer. Pour the remaining egg mixture on top of the bread and then pour the remaining sugar mixture on top. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the custard is set and the bread is golden brown, an additional 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the blueberries and lemon juice to a small saucepot. Cook over medium heat until the berries burst and thicken and the sauce begins to bubble, about 15 minutes.
When ready to serve, spoon the blueberries over the center of the casserole and sprinkle with powdered sugar.