Down Island French Toast Recipes

Steps:

• For the cinnamon smear: Cream the margarine and sugar in a large bowl. Add the flour, cinnamon and cocoa powder. Slowly add the oil and water. Mix for 15 minutes and let rest for 5 minutes.
• For the cinnamon raisin bread: Mix the flour, starter, water, granulated sugar, yeast, salt and oil in a large stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for 15 minutes. Let rest.
• Portion the dough into 22-ounce balls. Flatten the dough and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mix and raisins. Roll the dough over itself 4 to 5 times and place in a greased bread pan. Cover the top and sides with the cinnamon smear. Proof the dough for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake for 46 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on a cooling rack. Slice into thick slices.
• For the maple mousse: Thoroughly blend the heavy cream, powdered sugar and maple syrup in a large bowl until well mixed.
• For the French toast batter: Thoroughly blend the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl until well mixed.
• For the Wrightsville Beach French toast: Soak the cinnamon raisin bread slices in the French toast batter until well saturated. Fry in a 350 degree F deep-fryer until golden brown, about 2 minutes (DO NOT OVER FRY).
• Cut the fried cinnamon raisin bread diagonally and shingle on a plate. Top with maple mousse. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries.

Steps:

• Mix the mascarpone, honey and cardamom in a bowl with a rubber spatula until well combined; do not overmix. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the milk, cream, granulated sugar and eggs in a mixing bowl, and whisk until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of the pear brandy and the cinnamon and vanilla; whisk to combine. Pour the rice cereal onto a cookie sheet or large plate.
• Dip a slice of challah into the egg mixture and let soak for 1 minute, turning to coat evenly. Let the excess drip off, then place the challah onto the bed of rice cereal; turn to coat completely. Repeat with the remaining slices.
• Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. When hot, spoon 1 tablespoon of the melted butter onto the skillet and place a slice of coated bread on the butter. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Flip, add another tablespoon of melted butter and cook until golden, another 3 minutes. Repeat with the remaining slices.
• Transfer the cooked slices to a baking sheet and bake for 5 to 7 minutes. The center of the French toast should remain somewhat soft inside.
• Cut each slice into 1 inch pieces and stack on a serving plate. Drizzle with the remaining pear brandy (1 1/2 teaspoons per portion), dust with confectioners' sugar and top with a scoop of the mascarpone mixture. Serve with maple syrup on the side.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a flat dish, crack eggs and add milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Whisk until well combined then lay challah slices in mixture to coat and absorb it all, turning occasionally.
• Set a 10-inch skillet, seasoned cast iron if you have, over medium heat. Add the butter and 1 cup sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has melted and caramelized, about 8 minutes. While the sugar is melting, peel apples, core and cut into halves. Remove from heat and gently whisk in the heavy cream. Sprinkle in the pecans, dried cranberries and gently press in the apple halves so there is a flat surface. Lay soaked slices of challah over the top so it is completely covered - you should be able to arrange the large slices and small slices so there are no gaps. Sprinkle the top with some brown sugar and place into the preheated oven. Bake in the middle of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden and puffy.
• When done, allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes then invert onto a large plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired, and serve.