Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast

With Thanksgiving coming up and planning and recipe hunting underway, I wanted to share one of my favorite breakfast recipes.  {This Little Project} is the make-the-night-before goodness that makes for an easy morning.  On a holiday that is just what I need.

Usually I'm not much of a fan of french toast breakfast caseroles because they look kinda gross.  So, I'm delighted to share a {little} hint for making yours look good (and it's super yummy too!)

Oh, and if you are taking it to a brunch or other gathering (which I do a lot) than you'll also love that you don't have to take any syrup along.  All the goodness is baked right inside.

It looks so good that it makes you look good :)

Here's what you need to make 

{this yummy project}

Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast:

3 cups milk

1 loaf of bread 

1 T. cinnamon (I love cinnamon but if you don't, use less)

8 oz cream cheese

10-12 eggs (depending on size)

1/2 cup maple syrup

vanilla 1 1/2 T

raspberries (frozen or fresh)

Streusel Topping ingredients:

4 T. softened butter or margarine

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 t. cinnamon

a pinch of salt

To make {This Little Project}

1- Grease a 9x13 baking dish

2- Break up half the loaf of bread into bite-sized pieces and put in the backing dish.

3- Cut the cream cheese into small cubes.  And spread them over the bread.  I try to imagine that whoever is eating it gets a little piece of cream cheese in each bite-so that's an idea of how to cut and spread it out.

4- Break up the other half of the loaf of bread into bite-sized pieces and spread over the cream cheese in the dish.

5- Prepare the egg mixture in a separate mixing bowl: Combine the eggs, syrup, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk them together.

6- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish.  I always press down/flatten any bread that isn't covered so that it all gets soaked.

7- Cover and refrigerate overnight.

8- In the morning make the streusel topping and sprinkle over the top.

9- Sprinkle the raspberries over the streusel topping.

10- Cook uncovered 375 degrees for 50-60 minutes

Be sure to check the middle-if the middle it's not done, cook longer.

When you take it out it looks pretty.  I love pretty food.

Enjoy!