CANNOLI FRENCH TOAST

ITALIAN FRENCH TOAST that’s restaurant worthy!

HOLY CANNOLI! This is definitely not your average french toast. My husband and I were hosting some friends for brunch and with one being Italian, I had this thought to make these vertical cannoli french toast. So into the kitchen we went. My husband Franklin hit the ground running with these while I worked on my Rosemary Sage And Thyme Potato Latkes for the latkes Benedict dish we were also making since our other friend is Jewish (um, yes I loved this cultural play on our brunch).

These brioche cannolis are a combination of pretty, delicious, and a play on cultural! It’s that french toast you’d go back to a restaurant for time and time again never venturing to try another dish because anything else would be a waste. It’s all of that but it’s made in your own kitchen. If you want to impress a date, friends (especially your Italian ones), or family with a homemade brunch, this is hands down the way to go!

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CANNOLI FRENCH TOAST

Yield: 8 Pieces

Author: Michelle Williams & Franklin Williams

Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 35 Min

Ingredients

FOR THE FRENCH TOAST

• Brioche (1 loaf)
• Eggs (3)
• Whole Milk (1/2 cup)
• Buttermilk (1/2 cup)
• Maple Syrup (2 tablepsoons)
• Pure Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon)
• Cinnamon (1 1/4 teaspoon)
• Nutmeg (1/8 teaspoon)
• Sherry (1 tablespoon)
• Salt (a pinch)
• Ghee (4 tablespoons for frying)

FOR THE CANOLI FILLINGv

• Ricotta (2 cups, strained
• Confectioner's Sugar (2 1/2 cups)
• Pure Vanilla Extract (1/2 teaspoon)
• Ground Cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon)
• Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1/2 cup. Or to your liking)

Instructions

KITCHEN ITEMS

1. Cutting Board
2. Chefs Knife
3. Medium Mixing Bowl
4. Whisk
5. High Rimmed Container (like a rectangular tuppawear)
6. Cooling Rack
7. Large Frying Pan
8. Infrared Thermometer (optional but helpful)
9. Stand Mixer with Whisk Attachment
10. Sifter
11. Boba Sized Metal Straw
12. Piping bag with Tip

TO MAKE YOUR BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST

1. In your medium mixing bowl, whisk together your eggs, whole milk, buttermilk, maple syrup, sherry, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until fully combined.
2. On your cutting board, use your chefs knife to cut your brioche loaf. First, cut it into a rectangular brick shape, roughly 4in x 3in x length of the loaf. Then, cut a 2x4 grid lengthwise cutting from the top down. This will leave you with 8 individual vertical rectangles.
3. Place your brioche pieces in a high-rimmed container and pour the milk mixture over the it. Let soak on one side 4 minutes then rotate 180° and then soak for another 4 minutes.
4. Remove the bread from the milk mixture and let it drain on a wire rack for 10 minutes (it’s recommended to put the rack over an extra baking sheet or surface that is easy to clean).
5. In a large sauce pan add ghee and bring up to a temperature of 350° (this is where you’d use your infrared thermometer. Maintaining the 350º temperature will ensure a more even cook)
6. Sear as many pieces will fit in your pan without over crowding for 45 seconds per side including both ends.
7. Transfer them onto a plate or cutting board.
8. Let rest for five minutes.

TO MAKE YOUR CANOLI FILLING

1. In your stand mixer with your whisk attachment whisk your ricotta on high speed for 2 minutes.
2. Stop your stand mixer. Sift in your confectioners’ sugar. Start your stand mixer on low to incorporate your sugar (otherwise it will make your sugar fly out all over the place) and then whisk on high for 1 minute.
3. Add vanilla and cinnamon. Whisk until incorporated.
4. Remove your bowl from your stand mixer and use a rubber spatula to fold your chocolate chips in.

TO PUT TOGETHER YOUR FRENCH TOAST CANOLI

1. Working your way from top to bottom lengthwise, use your metal boba straw to carve out a hole that goes 3/4 of the way through each of your french toast sticks.
2. Fill your piping bag with your canoli filling and pipe it into the hole in the center of your french toast stick. Pulling it out as you pipe, leave a little dollop on the top of your french toast stick.
3. That’s it! Eat and enjoy your Canoli French Toast!

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