Banana Split French Toast

By MaryGladys

Ingredients

• 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries
• 1 (16-ounce) loaf French bread
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 4 small ripe bananas, halved lengthwise
• 2 cups frozen whipped topping (about 2/3 of an 8-ounce container), thawed
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• Maple syrup, warmed

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

Cut 4 maraschino cherries in half; set aside for garnish. Chop remaining cherries. Cut off and discard ends of bread loaf. Slice remaining loaf into 16 (1/2-inch to 3/4-inch) slices.

Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl; beat with an electric mixer at medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until creamy. By hand, stir in pineapple, chocolate chips and chopped cherries; mix well.

Spray a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine eggs and milk in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dip one side of 1 bread slice into egg mixture. Place on baking pan, dipped side down. Gently spread with 1/8 of cream cheese mixture; top with a banana half. Repeat with 7 more slices.

Dip one side of each of the remaining 8 bread slices in egg mixture. Place, dipped side up, on top of banana Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 35 to 40 minutes, or until tops are light golden brown and centers are set.

To serve, top each serving with 1/4 cup whipped topping, 1-1/2 teaspoons chopped pecans and 1 reserved cherry half. Serve with maple syrup.