STRAWBERRY-FILLED FRENCH TOAST WITH CARAMEL AND PECANS

STRAWBERRY-FILLED FRENCH TOAST WITH CARAMEL AND PECANS image

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Sauce:
1/2 c granulated sugar
3 T water
1 T butter
1/2 c evaporated fat-free milk
1/2 t vanilla extract
1/8 t salt
French Toast:
Cooking spray
1 (12-oz) loaf French bread, cut into 16 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
1/2 c strawberry preserves
2 c fat-free milk
3/4 c egg substitute
1 T vanilla extract
1/8 t salt
1/4 t ground cinnamon
1/8 t ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
3 T chopped pecans
2 T powdered sugar

Steps:

1. To prepare sauce, combine granulated sugar and water in a medium heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Cover and cook over medium heat 1 minute. Uncover and cook 5 minutes or until light golden (do not stir). 2. Remove from heat, and let stand 1 minute. Add butter, stir until melted. Place pan over medium heat; cook 3 minutes or until caramel melts and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and salt. 3. To prepare French toast, pour sauce into a 13 x 9-ingh baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 8 bread slices in dish. Spread preserves evenly over bread; top with remaining bread. 4. Combine fat-free milk and next 6 ingredients (through eggs). Pour milk mixture over bread; sprinkle with pecans. 5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 6. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 35 minutes or until top is golden. Let cook 5 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.