Paula Deen…Love ya girl with your adorable Southern accent, perpetual smile, and contagious giggles.
But girlfriend the butter. Ah the butter! It. Is. Killing. Me.
You put whole sticks of butter into single recipes. We all love butter, but have you seen the way it sticks to a pan? Yep. –Exactly what it is doing to your booty and to your arteries!
I made PD’s original version a couple of years ago to rave reviews-It is good, I can’t lie. But, this skinny version is great too. Honestly, not missing the butter too much at all.
Paula Deen you need to meet Bob Greene from The Best Life and save yourself a few sticks of butter!
Baked French Toast Casserole:
Original Recipe by Paula Deen-Skinnied up by me.
What You Need: (Serves 8)
1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces) *Use wheat french bread to add fiber
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half Use 1 cup fat free half and half instead
1 cup milk Use 2 cups of skim milk instead
2 tablespoons granulated sugar Use 1 TBS only
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt (1/4 tsp)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup (Use only 100% natural maple syrup!)
Praline Topping
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butterUse 3 TBS of Best Life Spread instead1 cup packed light brown sugarUse only 1/4 cup of brown sugar + 1 TBS for the topping- 1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrupUse only 1 TBS1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamonUse 1 tsp of cinnamon- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 egg white, whisked
Here’s What You Do: (My adapted version)
Slice wheat French bread into approximately 1 inch pieces. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-fat, organic cooking spray and layer the bread, so that the pieces overlap. Mix the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and whisked egg white. Add the salt and whisk generously. Pour the mixture over the bread, covering them completely. If you need to, press down with a spatula. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The Next Day:
Preheat the oven to 350. Spread the Praline Topping over the bread and sprinkle with the extra TBS of brown sugar to cover and bake for 40 minutes. Serve with maple syrup. (Check the ingredients real maple syrup only contains maple syrup!)
- Happy, Happy Mother’s Day!
Kid Tip:
“This is so yummy!” “I get to have the french toast for breakfast? Yay!” No kid tip needed at our house!
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I love this version you created! I have made the PD version a few times for Christmas morning but I like yours so much better! This looks amazing Bree!
Thanks Jennifer!
girl- the BUTTER. my friend made this for NYE morning, and it was intense. like, so much so this fat kid couldn’t even handle it. love that you reduced the goop. not only is it way better for you, but (if i’m honest) probably is easier to eat, too! xo
That is too funny! Hopefully you like this skinny version better!
Oh my, does this look delicious!!! I showed my husband the picture and he is drooling already! Will have to try this weekend!!
Let me know how it goes!!!
Love how you skinnied up this Paula Dean recipe.
Thanks Jeannette! I love the challenge!
Paula Deen should really take a cue from you! This French toast looks mouthwatering, and you did a great job substituting her more full-fat ingredients with lesser fat ingredients (and just plain less). Love your creativity, Bree!
Aww thanks Georgia you are too sweet!
Holy Cow- YUMMMMMMM. This sounds delicious!!! Pinned it!
Aww thanks!
Oooh yes please! Love this made over version! Sounds perfect.
french toast, YUM! I’m saving this recipe…I wish I was eating this right now!
Thanks Raquel!
Agreed I love this version better,not too much butter y’all
great cut-down calorie recipe !!
Thank you! Let me know if you try it!
I love how you “skinnied” this up! French toast casserole is usually loaded with all kind of things that make our arteries cringe!
Thanks Jessica!
Great breakfast idea. I like how you reduced the sugar but increased the cinnamon!
Thanks Zenee!!
Great recipe! I sub maple syrup for the corn syrup to make it even a little healthier and it’s still as yummy as the original (which I had before finding your awesome skinny version).
Good call!