What Happens When You Make Your Valentine This Amazing Breakfast?

Day 21. Recipe 21.

Sometimes our Valentine doesn't need chocolates, flowers or a sweet little stuffy to know that we care. They need something straight from the heart. They crave something that says we would get up at the crack of dawn to show them our complete and undying love.

And it needs to be buttery, sticky and downright delicious.

Let's make this Cherry Brioche French Toast Bake, and let our little cupids know we love them right down to the bottom of their tiny little hearts.

Cherry Brioche French Toast Bake

Serves 8 / Prep Time 20 min / Cook Time 40-45 min

For the casserole

12 slices 1/2" brioche bread
small heart shaped cutter
1/2 cup dried pitted tart Montmorency cherries
5 eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup real maple syrup (warmed)

For the topping

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease am 8" x 8" casserole pan. Cut out hearts from all 12 slices brioche bread and set aside. Break apart the remaining scraps of bread and layer them with the cherries into the baking dish. Place the bread hearts on top of the cherries and torn pieces of bread.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the mixture over the top of the casserole dish. In a small bowl, combine the butter, dark brown sugar and salt. Pour on top of the bread hearts.

Step 3: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the middle is no longer wet and contents look puffy. If the top starts to brown before the dish is fully cooked, cover with aluminum foil and continue to bake until done.

Step 4: Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving with the warm maple syrup.