Christmas Tree French Toast with Gingerbread Honey
I'll admit, I used to be a real Scrooge and a party-pooper when it came to holidays.
I now see that as a wrong response to the over-commercialization of holidays.
The right response to the over commercialization and secularization of holidays is not for me to "bah-hum" them, but to recognize them for they are: "holy-days", a needed opportunity to remember the character and works of God.
Now that my kids are 4 and 2, they are beginning to form memories and expectations around the holidays and I'm learning that holidays are a valuable opportunity to teach our kids about God and remind ourselves of what He has done.
This year I've been thinking about what meaningful traditions we want to establish that our kids can look forward to with excitement each year.
We are looking forward to cutting a live Christmas tree on the first Saturday of December and I wanted to come up with a special breakfast to celebrate the day. The following recipe is the idea I came up with. I think the girls will enjoy "decorating" these edible Christmas trees with a variety of fruit, chocolate chips, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
Recipe notes:
Bread: I used Breadico's classic white sourdough bread, which resulted in a very hearty and chewy French toast. You may want to use another kind of bread that is softer and fluffier.
Cookie cutter: I used a cookie cutter to cut out the Christmas trees, but if you don't have one, you could use a knife to cut out a triangular Christmas tree shape.
Sprinkles: Avoid the artificial food dyes and use naturally colored sprinkles, like Watkins brand.
Christmas Tree French Toast with Gingerbread Honey
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 6 slices of bread
- Butter for frying
Beat together eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until completely smooth.
Heat a pat of butter in a large skillet.
Dip bread in the egg mixture and allow to sit briefly until soaked (but not soggy and falling apart).
Cook the French toast on both sides until golden brown.
After cooking, cut the bread into Christmas tree shapes. We are serving our kids the Christmas trees and using the edges of the bread for us parents. :)
Serve with toppings of choice:
- Little Shire Gingerbread Honey or maple syrup for "garlands"
- Powdered sugar or whipped cream for "snow"
- Fruit or chocolate chips for "ornaments"
- Sprinkles for "lights"