Hello, dear readers! Today, we’re about to embark on a flavorful journey that brings together the best of southern charm and a touch of theme park magic. But first, let me share a little story with y’all.
One sunny day at Universal Studios Orlando, Craig and I found ourselves wandering into the Central Park Crepes booth. As the enticing aroma of fresh crepes wafted through the air, Craig was instantly drawn to one flavor: Lemon Blueberry. It was love at first bite. That day, not only did we enjoy the theme park, but we also discovered Craig’s newfound passion for the delightful combo of lemon and blueberry.
Fast forward to one of those evenings when we were pondering over what to make with an 8-count pack of Hot Fog buns. Inspired by the crepe from Universal Studios and driven by his love for that zesty and sweet combination, Craig whipped up an ingenious dish that we now fondly call our Easy Lemon Blueberry French Toast Bake.
Ingredients:
For the French Toast:
- One 8-count pack of Hot Fog buns (or any leftover bread you have)
- Blueberry pie filling
- 1/2 stick of melted butter
- Condensed milk
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon extract
- Butter extract
- Heavy cream
- French vanilla coffee creamer
- Three beaten eggs
For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon extract
- Heavy cream
Instructions:
- Begin by breaking your bread (or buns) into approximately one-inch pieces. Lay these pieces in a baking dish that’s been lightly sprayed.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of French vanilla liquid coffee creamer, the beaten eggs, 3 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, lemon extract, 1/2 teaspoon of butter extract, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of condensed milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend all these ingredients together thoroughly.
- Once mixed, pour this creamy mixture over the bread in the baking dish. Ensure every piece is soaked adequately.
- Gracefully top your creation with the blueberry pie filling.
- Pop it in the oven, and bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes, or until it’s firm to touch and has a beautiful light brown hue.
- While your French toast bake is turning into perfection in the oven, it’s time to prepare the glaze. In another bowl, mix 5-6 heaping tablespoons of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract, 1 tablespoon of condensed milk, two tablespoons of lemon juice, and a tablespoon of heavy cream. If it’s too thick, you can adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or heavy cream.
- Once out of the oven, drizzle your glaze generously over the warm French toast bake.
Now, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner – or perhaps a treat just because – this dish will bring a smile to your face, reminiscent of a sunny day in Orlando.
Thank you for stopping by the With the Bickhams blog. It’s always a joy to share our culinary adventures with y’all. And if you’re curious about the magic in action, make sure to watch our YouTube video tutorial at the bottom of this post. We’ve captured every step, ensuring y’all can recreate this dish with the same love and flavor.
For more recipes, stories, and all things Bickhams, visit our all-in-one spot at bycraigandmelissa.com.
Until next time, thank y’all, and happy cooking! With love, Craig and Melissa Bickham