Berry French Toast Bake

• all-purpose flour↗1⁄2 cup
• half-and-half↗1 1⁄2 cups
• sugar↗1⁄4 cup
• vanilla↗2 teaspoons
• salt↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• eggs↗6
• soft French bread↗1 loaf

  cut into 1 inch cubes

• frozen unsweetened mixed berries↗1 1⁄2 cups
• sugar↗1⁄2 cup
• cornstarch↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• orange juice↗2 tablespoons
• frozen unsweetened mixed berries↗1 cup
• fresh strawberries↗1 1⁄2 cups

  cut in half

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking dish with butter.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, beat flour, half-and-half, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla,salt, and eggs with wire whisk until smooth.

3. 3

   Stir in bread and 1 1/2 cups mixed berries.

4. 4

   spoon into the baking dish, cover tightly and refrigerate 1 - 24 hours.

5. 5

   Heat oven to 400°F.

6. 6

   Uncover bread mixture, and bake for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

7. 7

   In a 1 1/2 quart saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup sugar and the cornstarch.

8. 8

   Stir in the orange juice until smooth.

9. 9

   Stir in 1 cup mixed berries, heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly.

10. 10

    Cook about 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, remove from heat.

11. 11

    Just before serving, stir in strawberry halves.

12. 12

    Serve warm over French toast bake.