Christmas Traditions Part 1

The Christmas season is now upon us and things are starting to look festive here at Spark It Up HQ. It is becoming increasingly interesting though as Kilo and I have begun discussing our Christmas traditions. I am guessing that he and I will need larger clothes before this holiday has come and gone. It seems that we can both bend some on every "tradition" but the food. In the next few days we will let you in on our "debate" and you can drool over the choices and use the recipes if you like but please no choosing sides here. We do enjoy a good fight!

Christmas morning would not be normal or as scrumptious for Kilo if he did not get a whiff of this casserole baking, with the coffee brewing and the bacon frying.

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp white corn syrup or maple syrup
Chopped pecans (optional)
1 loaf cinnamon bread (can use cinnamon raisin bread if desired) - Thomas' brand is good- Kilo likes the cinn. raisin bread best!
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese
5 eggs
1/4 cup half & half
Powdered sugar

Spray a 9"x13" pan with non-stick cooking spray. Melt butter and add to the pan, along with brown sugar and 2 Tbsp of corn syrup. Mix in pan until the mixture can be spread evenly around the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with finely chopped pecans if desired.

Divide loaf of bread into halves. Cut half of the loaf into small cubes (about 1" square) and scatter over the brown sugar mixture. Cut cream cheese into cubes and scatter over the top. Top with the remaining bread cut into cubes.
Whisk eggs, half & half, and remaining 1 Tbsp of corn syrup in a bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and press down gently with plastic wrap to make sure all bread is coated. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight. Take out and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes until casserole is gently browned and well set.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm with your favorite syrup topping or fresh fruit.

This sounds amazing I must admit. Tomorrow I will post my traditional Christmas breakfast.

Technorati : Christmas recipes, Christmas traditions