Blueberry Strata

Blueberry Strata

1 (16 ounce) loaf French bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, if using frozen, drain well

1 (8 ounce) container blueberry cream cheese, room temperature

12 eggs

2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Coat a 13x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.  Arrange 1/2 of bread cubes in the bottom of pan.  Sprinkle blueberries over bread.

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over top.  

Arrange remaining bread cubes over top of cream cheese.  In large bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix until well blended.

Pour evenly over bread cubes.  

Cover with aluminum foil.  Refrigerate overnight.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place covered baking dish in oven. Bake 30 minutes.

Uncover.  Bake 30 additional minutes.

Blueberry Syrup

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 3/4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

While Strata is baking, prepare Blueberry Syrup.  In large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch.  Mix well.  Add water.  Mix well. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Boil 5 minutes.  Add blueberries.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium.  Cook 10 minutes.  Add butter.  Mix well.  Serve warm over Strata.

I am in Florida visiting my family.  Usually when I am here, my Mom will spoil me, and do all of the cooking.  She always makes all of my favorite meals.  I decided one morning to give my mom a break, and make breakfast for everyone.  On the menu was my Blueberry Strata.  I love that I can do most of the prep for this recipe the night before. 

The Blueberry Strata was a big hit with young and old alike.  The bread had a delicious creamy, slightly sweet custard texture on the bottom, and a nice crunch on the top.  The blueberries and cream cheese added not only color, but also tons of flavor.    We had a little leftover Strata that morning, but by afternoon it was all gone.  My sister Shelley kept going back to the refrigerator to nibble on the leftovers.

The winners of my Double Giveaway are:
Facebook: Christa Storrs
Blog Follower: Discovering the Me in Mommy
Please email your address to me at:
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Follow my blog and or Facebook for your chance to win next months Giveaway!

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins

Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins

1 (8 ounce) container strawberry cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup melted butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups Bisquick
1 cup chopped strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, and sugar.  Mix well.  Add egg, milk, and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add Bisquick.  Mix until just combined.  Do not over mix.

 Fold in strawberries.

 Fill greased muffin pan cups 3/4 full with batter. 

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until lightly golden brown.   

Makes 12 to 14 muffins.  

I love reading blogs!  It is amazing how many great blogs there are.  One of the blogs I follow is Bo's Bowl.  He not only has delicious comfort food recipes on his blog, but he also posts creative takes on today's trendy foods.   I spotted this recipe on Bo's Bowl and added it to my long list of recipes to try   

I seldom make a recipe the same way twice.  The first time I made this recipe I followed Bo's Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffin recipe.  It was absolutely delicious!   The muffins have a delicate texture with chunks of fresh strawberries through out.

The second time I made it, I decided to change it a little bit.  I swapped out the cream cheese for strawberry cream cheese and made a few other changes.  My family loved the muffins both ways.  I will be making these muffins again and when I do, I am sure I will have a new way I will want to make them. 

On Tuesdays I post cooking tips.  Here is a link for a past post with tips for,
Baking Muffins.

Do you follow recipes exactly the way they are written or do you like to put your own twist on them?        

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!