Holiday Recipe

Martha Stewart's baked french toast with raspberry sauce...

You can prepare it the night before and bake it in the morning so at the time everyone in the house wake up from their sleep...They can smell the toast and have a wonderful breakfast made by YOU.

Ingredients: (serves 4)

• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 thick slices challah, brioche, or other egg bread (1 inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 bag (10 to 12 ounces) frozen raspberries (or strawberries), thawed
• Smoked chicken sausage, warmed, for serving (optional)

Directions:

1. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, whisk together eggs, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla, and salt.
2. Arrange bread in dish in a single layer; let soak 15 minutes. Turn bread over; cover, and refrigerate until most of the liquid is absorbed, at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with butter. With a spatula, carefully transfer soaked bread to sheet. Bake until French toast is set in center and lightly browned on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine raspberries and remaining 1/4 cup sugar, mashing lightly with a fork.
5. Remove French toast from baking sheet with a thin metal spatula; serve with raspberry sauce and, if desired, sausage.