Chocolate French Toast With Strawberry Syrup Recipes

CHOCOLATE FRENCH TOAST WITH STRAWBERRY SYRUP

Steps:

• To make French Toast: Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan; line with bread slices.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk, cream, butter, granulated sugar, vanilla and salt to simmering over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Gradually beat in eggs with whisk until well combined and mixture thickens.
• Pour chocolate mixture evenly over bread. Make sure to coat bread completely, turning slices over if necessary. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 8 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until chocolate mixture sets. Meanwhile, make Strawberry Syrup.
• To make Strawberry Syrup: Heat strawberries and maple syrup in 1-quart saucepan to simmering over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until strawberries have softened. Slightly mash strawberries with fork or potato masher. Keep syrup warm until ready to serve. Serve with warm French toast sprinkled with powdered sugar and additional chocolate chips.

CHOCOLATE MASCARPONE STUFFED FRENCH TOAST WITH STRAWBERRY SYRUP

Steps:

• Cook's Note: Mascarpone is similar to cream cheese in flavor (but better) and has the consistency to match. It makes a great base for this super-easy yummy filling.
• Combine the mascarpone, heavy cream, orange zest and sugar in a bowl. Add the melted chocolate and mix until all the ingredients are incorporated. Using an offset spatula or butter knife, take a generous scoop of the chocolate-mascarpone filling, about 2 tablespoons, and slather it on 1 slice of the brioche, and then top with another slice of brioche. Repeat with the remaining slices and filling; you will make 6 sandwiches.
• In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and half-and-half to make an egg bath. (If you don't have half-and-half, milk or heavy cream will work just fine.)
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Preheat a nonstick griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet, moving it around to coat the surface. Dip each sandwich in the egg bath, turning over to coat and soak both sides. Place the sandwich on the hot griddle. (Place only as many sandwiches as will fit easily on the griddle, don't overcrowd.) Cook, in batches, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the sandwiches to an oven-safe platter and cover loosely with foil. Place in the oven to keep warm. Add more butter to the griddle, as necessary, and cook the remaining sandwiches.
• Cut the sandwiches diagonally in half, and serve 2 to 3 halves per person. Dust the sandwich with confectioners' sugar and grate chocolate over the top. Ladle a generous portion of the Strawberry Syrup over the sandwiches, or serve alongside for your guests to serve themselves.
• In a large saucepan over high heat, add the strawberries and sugar. (A large saucepan is needed just in case the strawberry syrup starts to boil up the sides.) If the strawberries are not as ripe or sweet as you like, add 1/3 cup more sugar. Add 2/3 cup water, the corn syrup and sea salt to the pan. Stir together until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Strain out the strawberries and continue to boil the liquid until the mixture has thickened to a syrupy consistency, another 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and add the strawberries back to the saucepan. Gently stir to coat the strawberries in the syrup. (The syrup can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or cooled and frozen.)
• Cook's Note: For an orange-lover's option, use fresh orange juice instead of the lemon juice to finish the syrup. Alternately, for a rich, adult-friendly sauce, add a splash of orange liqueur, like Grand Marnier, to the sauce. Although the alcohol won't completely cook out, most will if cooked a few minutes longer. Yield: 3 1/2 cups

CHOCOLATE AND STRAWBERRY STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla. Set aside.
• Place 1 tablespoon of cream cheese in the center of 4 of the pieces of bread and spread around slightly. Top with about 6 slices of strawberries and a teaspoon of chocolate chips. Cover each with another piece of bread to make a "sandwich".
• Spray a large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray and preheat. Carefully dip each of the "sandwiches" into the egg mixture until completely moistened. Then place on the skillet and cook over a medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the outside is golden brown and the center is warm and chocolate is melted.
• Transfer to serving places. Top with remaining strawberries and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.