Banana pecan french toast

if you’d like to pull out all the stops on an impressive breakfast, this is a must-have on the menu. Mama used to make it to surprise me on mornings when I had a special day ahead. Even now, I never tell my kids when I’m going to make it, instead opting to get up early and sneak into the kitchen so they can wake up to this special warm treat!

½ cup half-and-half or milk

4 eggs, lightly beaten

Pinch of salt

¼ cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for serving, optional

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 thick slices egg or potato bread

2 bananas, sliced

1 cup chopped pecans

Oil for cooking

Maple syrup, for serving

• In a large, shallow bowl, mix the half-and-half, eggs, salt, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla together well. Dip only one side of one piece of bread into the batter.
• Place the dipped slice, batter side down, on wax paper. Layer banana slices on top of the bread. Dip a second slice of bread on both sides and put on top of the bananas (making a sandwich).
• Lay the sandwich on the chopped pecans and press slightly. Turn over onto additional chopped pecans and press again.
• Brown on both sides in a medium-hot skillet in a small amount of oil. Sift additional confectioners’ sugar over the top, if desired, before serving. Serve with maple syrup.

3 servings