Bananas Foster French Toast

Think caramely-bananas covering crispy-soft french toast. It's a marriage made in heaven if you ask me. Here's how it's done...

I like to measure and set out all of my ingredients before baking. The process goes a lot more quickly this way.

Nothing like slices of homemade bread. Even the ends are good in this since they absorb the milk mixture during baking.

Next, combine the rest of the french toast ingredients. I used almond milk since it is what I prefer, but you can use whatever kind you like.

Whisk together well.

If you don't want the bits of neufchatel like mine, use a hand or stand mixer blend.

Layer the slices of bread in a baking dish. Pour the milk mixture on top.

Bake at 350 for 35  minutes.

While the french toast is baking, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Once the butter is bubbly and completely melted, add the brown sugar.

Stir until combined.

Cook over heat until the sugar dissolves.

And the mixture darkens. Mmm, caramel! Add water.

Slice bananas diagonally. Because they're prettier that way.

Add bananas to caramel sauce.

Slowly. You don't want to splash yourself.

Stir to combine sauce and bananas.

Cook over medium heat until bananas are softened.

Like this.

I'm not obsessed with caramel.

Nope.

Not at all.

Serve over french toast.

Enjoy!

Bananas Foster French Toast

2 oz Neufchatel Cheese, softened (you can also use cream cheese)
2 T sugar
1 t vanilla
1 t ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup vanilla almond milk (if you use regular milk, increase sugar by 2 T)

sliced bread- enough for 2 layers in 8 x 8 baking dish (I used homemade whole wheat bread, but French bread or Challah would be great in this too)

2 bananas, sliced

1/2 stick butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 T water

Combine neufchatel cheese, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, egg, and milk. Pour over bread and bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until crispy on top.

While french toast is baking, melt butter in pan. When bubbly, add brown sugar and cook until sugar is melted. Add water and stir to smooth. Stir in bananas and cook until soft. Serve over hot french toast.

Note: I used some healthier ingredients, like whole wheat bread, low fat neufchatel cheese, and almond milk. To me, this balanced out the sweetness and richness of this dish. But if you prefer challah, cream cheese, and regular milk or cream, I'm sure that would be good too!