French Toast Casserole

Serves: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes

Modified from Vegnews

I like a lot of strawberries (or any type of berry for this French toast recipe. Having 4 cups makes this recipe have a resounding berry flavor and it is quite delicious. Try it and see.

For the French toast:

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned full fat coconut milk (can use lite if desired)
½ cup all purpose flour or other flour of your choice
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1½ tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegan cooking spray, lightly wipe down pan after spraying to minimize this coating or omit, if total eliminating oil)
8 to 10 vegan bread slices

For the strawberry sauce:

4 cups chopped fresh strawberries, hulled or thawed frozen berries. If in a hurry lightly thaw frozen berries in your microwave
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water or more for desired consistency.

Topping

Powdered sugar (optional)
Maple syrup (optional)

Directions

1. In a bowl add the vanilla extract, coconut milk, flour, maple syrup, cornstarch and vanilla. Stir until combined. You can also use a vitamix to thoroughly blend
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan lightly with cooking spray. Dip 1 or 2 slices of bread in the bowl with milk mixture and soak for 10 to 15 seconds on each side. Place in pan until all slices are layered. You want to overlap the slices to fit. Pour any excess batter on the bread
4. For the strawberry sauce, combine ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer. Stir until thickened. If using whole strawberries, mash with a potato masher, being careful not to splash yourself (allow the mixture to cool or put in 4 ice cubes to accelerate the cooling, before mashing). If the masher is too slow, pulse 6 to 10 times in a food processor. You want the strawberries in chunks with some of the juices released.
5. Pour strawberry sauce over the bread and bake in oven for 20 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and check to make sure slices are still moist. If dry add some maple syrup and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
7. To serve, place two slices of bread (or four halves) on a plate, a spoonful of strawberry sauce, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Use more maple syrup, if desired.