Cherry Picking and Cherry French Toast Casserole

One day, we decided to take a day excursion over to Michigan to do some cherry picking.  Just a day in the country of good ol' fashioned fun.  We went to the cutest orchard about 2 1/2 hours away called 

Tree-mendous Fruit Farm.  What a fun day in the orchard!

Just the beginning of our cherry picking extravaganza!

Before we knew it, with 5 cherry pickers, we ended up with 11 pounds of cherries!  We couldn't stop ourselves!!!  11 pounds?  I saw a lot of cherry baking in my future.  But, that's ok because I love those little tart cherries and they are only out for a short period of time.  So, on to the baking.

We have spent some time in Door County, Wisconsin, another neighboring state with delicious cherries.  This area of the country is also known for bed and breakfasts, fish boils AND it's cherry recipes.
The cherry recipe I started with is an
  Overnight Cherry French Toast Casserole.

Oh my gosh!  Your breakfast will never be the same.  So grab some tart baking cherries, not 11 pounds worth, and let's get cooking!

Inspired by the recipe at White Lace Inn

Ingredients:

1 round loaf of sour dough bread

butter for greasing pan

4 cups of fresh tart cherries (or frozen cherries, thawed)

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup sugar, divided

1 tsp almond extract

1/2 of a whole wheat baguette

7 eggs

1 1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cup half and half

powdered sugar

Directions:

Cut sourdough bread into cubes.  Place pieces in an buttered 9 X 13 pan.

Spread cherries over the top.

Soften cream cheese.  Add 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp almond extract and 1/4 cup sour cream.  Mix until well blended.  Spread on top of the cherries.

Cut whole wheat baguette half into cubes.  Place on top of cherries and cream cheese.

Beat eggs well and add the remaining sugar, almond extract, milk and cream.  Pour over entire mixture.  Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake covered with foil for 40-50 minutes.  Uncover the last 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and let it set up for about 10-15 minutes.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Cherry French Toast Casserole printable recipe

What a breakfast treat!

I am loving the sweet cream cheese mixture paired with the tartness of the cherries.

So yummy!  How about stopping over for breakfast with me?  I'll have a pot of coffee brewing and some of this delicious Cherry French Toast Casserole.

This recipe works just fine with frozen cherries so don't think you have to drive all over the country searching for cherry picking places.

Come on over and we can swap some u-pick stories or share below.  I'd love to hear them!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with Six Sisters' Stuff, Weary Chef, Skip to My Lou, Your Homebased Mom,
Confesssions of a Plate Addict, The New Mrs Adventures, Morsels of Life, The 36th Avenue, LouLou Girls,
Wine and Glue, Ginger Snap Crafts, Lori's Culinary Creations, Design Dining and Diapers, Lil Luna,
Lady Behind the Curtain, Inside Bru Crew Life and Cooking On The Front Burner