It’s a yearly thing at our place, making it the night before Christmas. No last minute cooking on Santa’s watch haha
Ingredients:
1 challah or brioche bread loaf, torn into pieces (preferably day-old)
1 and 3/4 cups half-and-half
1 cup chopped pecans
4 large eggs
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 and 3/4 cups half-and-half
1 cup chopped pecans
4 large eggs
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions (Prep Night Before):
1. In a food processor, blend the butter and brown sugar until the mixture resembles small pebbles in texture.
1. In a food processor, blend the butter and brown sugar until the mixture resembles small pebbles in texture.
2. Coat the chopped pecans with the butter-sugar mixture and set them aside.
2. In another mixing bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
3. Pour the egg mixture over the bread. Gently press down on the bread to make sure it’s evenly soaked. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate overnight.
Instructions (Cooking Day):
1. The next morning, take the soaked bread mixture out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare your slow cooker.
1. The next morning, take the soaked bread mixture out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare your slow cooker.
2. Pour the bread mixture into the greased slow cooker. Use a spatula to even it out. Sprinkle in the pecans that were dressed in butter-sugar mixture.
3. Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 3 hours (or high for 1.5 hours). Check for doneness by inserting a knife into the center. It should come out clean when the French toast is ready.
Once done, turn off the slow cooker, and let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly.
Serve the Slow Cooker Caramel Pecan French Toast warm, drizzled with caramel sauce. You can also sprinkle some additional chopped pecans and a dusting of powdered sugar on top for extra flavor and presentation.
