Commentary by Ceci Martinez
My younger son is treating our family to a decadent breakfast for Valentine’s Day this weekend, almond French toast. This fabulous recipe is a fusion of two signature breakfast/brunch classics, almond croissant and French toast and couldn’t be any easier to make. Almonds! Their fragrance goes with chocolate and strawberries, and spells romance! Kids will have a blast making this recipe and will glow with pride when they present you with their creation!
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
Pinch of salt
4 fresh butter croissants
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Maple syrup or honey
Confectioner’s sugar (optional)
Choice of fruit.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 250F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a glass bowl whisk together the eggs, yolks, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add half-and-half, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Cut croissants in half lengthwise, leaving them attached on side, and open them up. In a non-stick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil together with 1 tablespoon of butter. Moist croissants by dipping them in the egg batter and transfer them to the pan; brown lightly on both sides at medium-low heat, place them in the oven to keep warm. In a small pan mix syrup or honey, 2 tablespoons of butter, almonds and almond extract. Heat for 5 minutes while mixing with a spoon. Remove croissants from oven and spread syrup-almond mix evenly; return to oven for 5 minutes. Serve warm accompanied by your choice of fruit.
