Strawberry-Filled French Toast with Caramel and Pecans

 

Yield:

8 servings (serving size: 1 piece)

 

Ingredients

Sauce:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

French Toast:

Cooking spray

1 (12-ounce) loaf French bread, cut into 16 (1/4-inch-thick) slices

1/2 cup strawberry preserves

2 cups fat-free milk

3/4 cup egg substitute

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 large eggs

3 tablespoons chopped pecans

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Preparation

To prepare sauce, combine granulated sugar and water in a medium, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Cover and cook over medium heat 1 minute. Uncover and cook 5 minutes or until light golden (do not stir).
Remove from heat, and let stand 1 minute. Add butter; stir until melted. Add evaporated milk; stir constantly. Place pan over medium heat; cook 3 minutes or until caramel melts and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and salt.
To prepare French toast, pour sauce into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 8 bread slices in dish. Spread preserves evenly over bread; top with remaining bread.
Combine fat-free milk and next 6 ingredients (through eggs). Pour milk mixture over bread; sprinkle with pecans.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35 minutes or until top is golden. Let cool 5 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.