This morning was our “Valentine” playgroup. We had such a great time! My friend Julie hosted the group and she did a wonderful job. She prepared several different breakfast items, but the Apple Raisin French Toast Strata definitely took the cake – it was AWESOME!!
Julie got this recipe via allrecipes.com and I wanted to go ahead and share it with all of you. If you are hosting a brunch/breakfast anytime in the near future, make this dish – it was SO yummy!
Apple Raisin French Toast Strata
Ingredients:
1 (1 pound) loaf cinnamon raisin bread,
cubed
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese,
diced
1 cup diced peeled apples
8 eggs
2 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
Directions:
Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange 1/2 of the cubed raisin bread in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the cream cheese evenly over the bread, and top with the apples. If you like extra raisins, add them now. Top with remaining bread.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the cream, butter, and maple syrup. Pour over the bread mixture. Cover with plastic wrap, and press down so that all bread pieces are soaked. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!!
Here are some pictures from this mornings playgroup. My daughter Savannah has been playing with most of these kiddos since she was 5 weeks old (well if you can call that “playing” at 5 weeks old).
We were each told to bring a bag or box for our child to collect all of their Valentines – this is Savannah & Matilda’s bag all filled up with Valentine’s from their little friends!
Savannah at the craft table. I think she takes after her mother – she loves arts and crafts!!
Savannah getting ready to pass out her Valentine’s. Remember the “We Dig You!” post? (find it here).
All the kiddos Valentine’s Day boxes/bags ready to be filled!
Ava & Liam’s Boxes
Grace & Evan’s Box
Roaran’s Lion Mailbox
This is what happens when toddlers are left unattended at the craft table – yikes!!
Cottage Mama’s Note: The dress my daughter is wearing in these pictures I made from a recycled Valentine’s Day shirt from last year. You can the recycled shirt dress post here.
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
hello!
I just found your blog through the yahoo designer fabric group! Super cute, and I love your intro, a girl after my own heart!
Anything that has cream cheese in it is a “must make” on my list. Love all those mailboxes.