Weekend Breakfast Rescue

I couldn’t live without my slow cooker. Okay, I actually have nine in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. And I need each one. And I need more … mostly because of the weekend. I love to cook, but there isn’t always a lot of time for it. Instead of spending hours in the kitchen, I’ve been adapting some favorite recipes for the slow cooker.

I couldn’t live without my slow cooker. Okay, I actually have nine in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. And I need each one. And I need more … mostly because of the weekend. I love to cook, but there isn’t always a lot of time for it. Instead of spending hours in the kitchen, I’ve been adapting some favorite recipes for the slow cooker.

One of the family’s new favorites is Stuffed Berry French Toast. (I don’t know if you’ve gotten a 9 x 13 casserole slow cooker yet, but it’s a definite must-have.) It’s super easy and quick to make and, as my son would say, it’s “crazy good.”

What you’ll need:

• A slow cooker (any size or shape will work)
• Cooking spray
• 2 loaves of cinnamon bread (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 dozen eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tsps. cinnamon
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 16 oz. of your favorite berries (fresh or frozen)
• Maple or blueberry syrup, whipped cream, and/or fresh fruit for serving

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Spray slow cooker dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cut two loaves of cinnamon bread into large chunks.
3. Layer half of bread chunks into bottom of slow cooker.
4. Whisk together eggs, milk, and cinnamon in mixing bowl. Pour half of egg mixture over bottom layer of bread in slow cooker.
5. In separate mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar.
6. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over bottom layer of bread in slow cooker.
7. Top cream cheese layer with fresh or frozen berries.
8. Top with remaining bread chunks.
9. Pour remaining egg mixture evenly over top layer of bread chunks.
10. Place cover on slow cooker dish and put in refrigerator until morning.
11. In the morning, heat stuffed berry French toast on low for 4 to 6 hours in slow cooker, or on high for 2 to 4 hours.
12. Serve with maple syrup, fruit syrup, and/or whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Here’s a site to find a recipe for your next slow cooker meal: http://allrecipes.com/recipes/253/everyday-cooking/slow-cooker/.