Berry French Toast Bake

 

1/2

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1 1/2

cups milk

1/4

cup sugar

2

teaspoons vanilla

6

eggs

1

loaf (1 lb) soft French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (8 cups)

1 1/2

cups Cascadian Farm® frozen organic harvest berries or blueberries (from two 10-oz bags)

1/2

cup sugar

1 1/2

teaspoons cornstarch

2

tablespoons orange juice

1

cup Cascadian Farm® frozen organic harvest berries or blueberries

1 1/2

cups fresh strawberries, cut in half

1/4

teaspoon salt

• 1 Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with butter. In large bowl, beat flour, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, the vanilla, salt and eggs with wire whisk until smooth. Stir in bread and 1 1/2 cups berries. Spoon into baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
• 2 Heat oven to 400°F. Uncover bread mixture. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.
• 3 Meanwhile, in 1 1/2-quart saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Stir in orange juice until smooth. Stir in 1 cup berries; heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook about 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened; remove from heat. Just before serving, stir in strawberry halves. Serve warm over French toast bake.