Cherry Strata
Indulge in the sweet, custardy delight of Cherry Strata, a luscious baked dish that brings together tart cherries, rich custard, and soft cubes of brioche or French bread. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this recipe combines fresh or frozen cherries with a velvety mixture of eggs, milk, cream, and a hint of almond and vanilla extracts for irresistible flavor. A touch of cinnamon and powdered sugar elevates the dish to a new level of cozy decadence. Simple to prepare with just a bit of soaking and baking, this crowd-pleasing strata boasts a golden, caramelized crust and tender, flavorful interior. Whether served warm or at room temperature, Cherry Strata is a delicious way to transform stale bread into a show-stopping treat.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted)
- 5 cups stale bread (preferably brioche or French bread)
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the dish)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the unsalted butter.
Cut the stale bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the greased baking dish.
Scatter the pitted cherries evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring some cherries are tucked between layers of bread.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Carefully pour the custard mixture over the bread and cherries, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid.
Let the mixture sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature to allow the bread to soak up the custard fully.
Bake the strata in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set in the center. A knife inserted into the middle should come out clean.
Remove the strata from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Optional: Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving for an added touch of sweetness and presentation.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your Cherry Strata!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
702 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.3 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.0 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 156 mg | 52% | |
| Sodium | 876 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 103.6 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.0 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.0 g | ||
| Protein | 20.0 g | 40% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.4 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 244 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 6.0 mg | 33% | |
| Potassium | 380 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
