French Toast with Mascarpone & Berries

I know, I know… I’ve probably written one too many Valentine’s Day posts, but I just can’t help myself because I have the cutest recipe for you to make for your valentine! Did I mention it’s heart-shaped food? I mean, you can obviously tell by the pictures, but don’t hearts make everything cuter?

I love that Valentine’s Day is an excuse to be cheesy and extra gushy. We usually keep all the gush and mush at home because going out for Valentine’s Day doesn’t appeal to either of us. This year, we plan on chilling at home with pizza and some vino, and of course, Netflix, because every romantic night should involve binge watching something on TV.

Since we’re doing a low-key Valentine’s Day, and a good breakfast is my husband’s love language, I made heart-shaped french toast yesterday and it was super cute! I didn’t stop there though, I decided to top the hearts with mascarpone frosting and berries. The french toast practically scream L-O-V-E as we ate it together.

To make the french toast, I bought a country loaf from Panera that I left sitting in a freezer bag for a couple of days. It was definitely stale before I made it, but it made such a difference and really soaked up the egg/half and half mixture because it was on the dryer side. I’d absolutely recommend using a couple day old bread for this recipe and all french toast moving forward. Huge game changer!

What I love most about the recipe is the way the mascarpone frosting and french toast marry together. The flavor is unreal – it’s sweet, but not overwhelming and the berries add a nice tart flavor.

If you end up making this french toast for the valentines in your life, don’t forget to tag your photos with #marinamakeseats!

French Toast with Mascarpone & Berries

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

• Smaller loaf of day old bread cut into very thick slices
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup of half and half
• Cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Salt
• 1/2 – 1 tablespoon of butter
• Sliced strawberries
• Raspberries

Mascarpone Frosting

• 4 oz mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon of almond or vanilla extract

Directions

Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut bread into hearts and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, one teaspoon of cinnamon, brown sugar and a couple pinches of salt. Soak each piece of bread in the mixture for about a minute on each side.

While the bread is soaking, heat a skillet or large frying pan over medium heat and melt about a half tablespoon of butter (use less or more depending on the size of your pan). Once the pan/skillet is warm, place bread in the pan and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon. Let it cook until slightly brown on one side. Flip and repeat until the other side. Repeat with other slices of bread, soaking and then cooking.

To make the frosting, mix the mascarpone, powdered sugar and extract with a hand mixer until combined and smooth.

Top each piece of French toast with a tablespoon or two of mascarpone frosting and a mixture of berries. Serve immediately.