Overnight French Toast Casserole-MarleneKoch

By srumbel

Here’s a great example of how great tasting “better-for-you” can be. This sensational family-favorite easy “overnight” french toast includes cream cheese for extra richness and vanilla and cinnamon for extra flavor, and I guarantee it does not disappoint! It’s an all-time favorite of mine for toting to pot-luck brunches as well as serving at home on Christmas morning (the smell as it comes out of the oven is downright heavenly!).
from marlenekoch.com

Ingredients

• 4-ounces tub-style light cream cheese
• 4-ounces tub-style fat-free cream cheese
• 3/4 cup granulated no-calorie sweetener*
• 3 tablespoons margarine, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup egg substitute (like Egg Beaters or 4 large eggs)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups low-fat milk
• 1 pound French, cinnamon swirl (my favorite), or wheat bread (1-inch slices)
• 2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1

1. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or 2 smaller (9 x 9-inch) baking pans with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheeses, sweetener of your choice, margarine, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Blend in the egg substitute (1/4 cup at a time) and then the eggs. Stir in the milk and mix well. Place the bread slices into the baking dish and cover them with the egg mixture (pressing down lightly to allow mixture to soak in). Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 40-45 minutes until puffed in center and lightly browned. Remove from oven, and lightly dust with powdered sugar if desired.

*If you prefer to use all-natural Truvia for Baking or another sugar/stevia baking blend use 1/2 as much, or 6 tablespoons. With any other low or no-calorie sweeteners use the package directions to equal 3/4 cup granulated sugar.

Serves Twelve

Per Serving (1/12 of casserole): Calories 190 | Fat 7 grams ( 1 saturated) | Carbohydrate 27 grams (4 grams sugar) | Fiber 2 grams |Protein 11 grams | Sodium 320 milligrams|Food exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk, 1 Medium-Fat Meat