CHOCOLATE FRENCH TOAST RECIPES RECIPES

Steps:

• TO SERVE Preheat the grill to medium. Slice two thick rounds of panettone. Get a non-stick pan with the same diameter and rub the soft butter all over the base. Beat the eggs with the vanilla paste and icing sugar in a shallow bowl, then dip one of the panettone slices in the eggy mixture until well soaked on both sides. Quickly and confidently transfer to the cold buttered pan. Drain the peaches and finely slice, then lay across the eggy panettone in the pan. Snap up and scatter over the chocolate. At this point, I’ve been known to add a little swig of amaretto, vin santo or Baileys. Dip the second slice of panettone in the eggy mixture, then pour any excess egg over the chocolate and peaches. Sit the second panettone slice on top, and press down gently to compact so the egg is absorbed everywhere – don’t worry if the panettone tears, just patch it up, it’s all going to cook into one batch of deliciousness. Place the pan on a medium heat for 3 minutes, to encourage a nice, crispy bottom, then sprinkle with a little extra icing sugar and pop under the grill for 10 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden – keep an eye on it. Safely and confidently tip the panettone French toast sandwich on to a board, and sift over a final extra dusting of icing sugar from a height. Wedge it up and serve hot or warm, with scoops of vanilla ice cream. Heaven.

Steps:

• For the French toast: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make an incision in the center of the Pullman loaf, as if you were slicing the loaf in half but taking care not to cut through the ends or the back side of the loaf. Stick your hand inside the incision and press lightly on the bread to make a pocket for stuffing.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and chocolate-hazelnut spread with a rubber spatula until smooth. Spoon the mixture into a resealable plastic bag; snip off a corner from the bag. Pipe the mixture into the pocket and close the seam slightly around it.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. Soak the stuffed loaf in the egg mixture, rotating it, until all the custard is absorbed, about 12 minutes.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a large oven-safe nonstick skillet. Gently remove the French toast from the custard pan and place in the hot skillet; cook until golden brown on all sides except the side with the pocket, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to oven and bake until firm and an inserted metal skewer comes out dry, about 15 minutes.
• For the raspberry compote: Meanwhile, place the raspberries, granulated sugar and orange juice in a small bowl. Partially mash the fruit with the back of a fork. Set aside to macerate.
• Remove the French toast from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve drizzled with raspberry compote and dusted with powdered sugar.