Baked Blueberry French Bread

Photo: flickr user jesswebb

Ingredients

16 ounces Italian bread

4 Eggs

1/2 cup Milk, 2%% lowfat

1/4 teaspoon Baking powder

1 teaspoon Vanilla

2 1/2 cups Blueberries, frozen or fresh

1/2 cup Sugar

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Cornstarch

2 tablespoons Butter, melted

1/4 cup Powdered sugar

Preparation

Slice the bread on the diagonal to create 8 3/4-inch thick pieces, heels removed. Arrange the bread slices in a 10-by-15 inch baking dish.

In a medium bowl, whip together the eggs, milk, baking powder and vanilla.

Slowly pour the mixture over the bread, turning each slice to coat completely. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Coat another 10-by-15 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle the blueberries over the bottom of the pan. Mix together the sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch and pour even over top of the berries. Tightly wedge the bread slices over the blueberries, wettest side up. Brush the bread with melted butter. Bake the French toast in the center of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

To serve, place the toast - berry-side down - on warmed plates. Stir the remaining berry mixture in the baking dish, then scoop over the toast.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Note: This has lots of blueberries in it.When fresh berries are very sweet, reduce amount of sugar. Begin this recipe a few hours ahead of serving time.