(Culinary.net) On a cool, crisp morning, it’s hard to beat an exciting twist on a breakfast classic.

This French Toast Casserole is crisp on top while soft and moist in the middle, coming fresh out of the oven with the aroma of maple syrup and pecans that will have the whole house eager for a bite. It’s easy enough to make fresh in the morning- but can also be prepared the night before so all you have to do is add the topping and pop it in the oven.

Find more fresh breakfast recipes to start your day at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

French Toast Casserole

• 1          loaf French bread (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 5          large eggs
• 1 1/2    cups unsweetened milk
• 2          tablespoons brown sugar
• 2          teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1          teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4       teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4       teaspoon sea salt
• maple syrup, for serving

Topping:

• 2          tablespoons unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted
• 2          tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2       cup chopped pecans
• 1          cup frozen strawberries
• 1          cup frozen blueberries
• confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

1. Grease 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place bread cubes in baking dish. In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pour mixture evenly over bread cubes.
2. If making casserole ahead, cover baking dish and refrigerate overnight. If baking immediately, let stand 30 minutes at room temperature to allow bread to soak up egg mixture.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F.
4. To make topping: Drizzle casserole with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans. Top with strawberries and blueberries.
5. Cover and bake 35 minutes then uncover and bake 10-20 minutes, or until topping is browned and egg mixture has mostly set.
6. Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and let stand 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve with maple syrup.

Source: Culinary.Net

(Family Features) No matter the occasion, nearly every gathering of loved ones is better with snacks.

One opportunity to celebrate this winter, National Popcorn Day on Jan. 19, honors one of America’s oldest and most beloved snack foods. Perfect served by itself or as an ingredient in whole-grain creations like Poppy Chow, a twist on a classic kid’s favorite made with peanut butter, chocolate and popcorn.

With no artificial additives or preservatives, light and airy popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO and gluten free, making it a sensible option to satisfy cravings for something savory, sweet and just about every flavor in-between. Plus, whole-grain popcorn has energy-producing carbohydrates and fiber, which can help keep you satisfied longer.

Visit Popcorn.org for more tasty snack recipes worth celebrating.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Poppy Chow

Yield: 2 quarts

• 2          quarts popped popcorn
• 1/4       cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1/2       cup creamy peanut butter
• 1          cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1          cup confectioners’ sugar

1. Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
2. In microwave safe bowl, combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips.
3. Microwave 2 minutes; stir until smooth.
4. Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn and stir until well coated.
5. Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over popcorn and stir until coated.
6. Cool to room temperature before serving.
7. Store in airtight container, refrigerated, up to 24 hours.

Source: Popcorn.org

(Family Features) Whether you’re enjoying a special occasion or simply spending deserved time with loved ones, you can gather at breakfast or brunch and enjoy this easy-to-make, divine pancake that tickles taste buds and delivers a satisfying start to the day.

Add the naturally sweet taste of fruit to the breakfast table with this Grape Dutch Baby recipe that requires just 15 minutes of prep time in the kitchen. Or serve it as a light main dish for those nights when having breakfast for dinner is the plan. Fresh California grapes offer a tasty burst of flavor that pairs perfectly with an egg-based pancake.

Whether enjoyed at breakfast or throughout the day, grapes can be a convenient, healthy, hydrating and energizing option. In fact, research suggests regularly eating grapes as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle contributes to overall wellness and healthy aging. Specifically, eating grapes is linked to beneficial impacts on the health of specific body parts and systems, including the heart, brain, skin and colon.

Find more better-for-you recipes at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Grape Dutch Baby

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

• 6          large eggs
• 1 1/3    cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/3    cups low-fat milk
• 1/2       teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 5          tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 2          cups red California grapes, halved
• 2          tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/8       teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• confectioners’ sugar

1. Heat oven to 450 F. Put large (10-inch) cast-iron or ovenproof skillet in oven.
2. With electric mixer on high speed, beat eggs until frothy then beat in flour, milk, vanilla and salt, and beat until smooth, about 1 minute (batter will be thin). Remove skillet from oven and add 2 tablespoons butter, swirling to cover pan. Pour in batter and return to oven. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 14-19 minutes.
3. While pancake is baking, in another skillet over high heat, melt remaining butter and add grapes, brown sugar and cinnamon, if desired. Cook until grapes are heated through and sugar has melted. Spoon grapes over pancake, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 280 calories; 6 g protein; 22 g carbohydrates; 18 g fat (58% calories from fat); 10 g saturated fat (32% calories from saturated fat); 180 mg cholesterol; 380 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Source: California Table Grape Commission

(Family Features) The most important meal of the day deserves to be special, so enjoy a fresh take on some classic recipes and infuse delicious gourmet flavors into every bite.

Biscuits should be bursting with mouth-watering flavor, not boring or bland. Try this recipe for biscuits infused with Salted Caramel and Warm Cinnamon Graham flavors using the Wilton Treatology Flavor System.

Or, boost a breakfast staple with a tropical twist on the traditional pancake using warm, Toasted Coconut flavor concentrate to infuse bold new flavor into pancake batter. Then, hot off the griddle, slather generously with caramel-infused butter amped up with brown sugar for a salty-sweet combination worth waking up for.

Treatology makes it easy to infuse new flavor combinations into countless recipes for every meal from breakfast through dessert. Use the Wilton Treatology Flavor System to mix drops of flavor and create your own recipes. For more recipe ideas, visit www.wilton.com/treatology.

Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits with Caramel Glaze

Makes: 1 dozen biscuits

Biscuits:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon Wilton Treatology Warm Cinnamon Graham Flavor Concentrate
• 1 cup raisins

Glaze:

• 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon half and half
• 4 drops Wilton Treatology Salted Caramel Flavor Concentrate

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Prepare cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In large bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. In measuring cup, stir together milk and Warm Cinnamon Graham Flavor Concentrate. Stir milk mixture and raisins into flour mixture until a dough forms.
4. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead 3-4 times or until dough comes together. Roll dough to 1-inch thickness and cut biscuits using a 2-inch round cutter, re-rolling dough as necessary. Place biscuits onto prepared pan.
5. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool on pan on cooling grid 5 minutes.
6. For glaze, whisk together confectioners' sugar, half and half and Salted Caramel Flavor Concentrate. Spoon glaze over biscuits and serve warm.

Coconut Caramel Pancakes

Makes: 12-15 pancakes

Pancakes:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Wilton Treatology Toasted Coconut Flavor Concentrate

Flavored Butter:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/4 cup firmly-packed dark brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon Wilton Treatology Salted Caramel Flavor Concentrate
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. In large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
2. In medium bowl, combine milk, egg, butter and Toasted Coconut Flavor Concentrate. Create well in center of flour mixture and pour in milk mixture. Whisk until all ingredients are incorporated.
3. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly spray with vegetable spray. Pour 3 tablespoons batter onto hot skillet, flipping once when pancake stops bubbling and sides are dry.
4. In small bowl stir together butter, brown sugar, Salted Caramel Flavor Concentrate and salt until combined.
5. Serve pancakes warm with flavored butter.

Source: Wilton Products

(Family Features) There's no better place than the kitchen to honor your special bond with a woman who has taught you all you know about cooking and baking. Whether she's your mom, or a woman who has been like a mom in your life, Mother's Day is the perfect time to create kitchen traditions you can cherish together year after year.

A decadent recipe you can prepare together and enjoy warm out of the oven is an ideal choice. As you wait for the dough to rise in these homemade cinnamon rolls, you'll have plenty of time to catch up and reminisce over shared memories of your childhood and beyond.

Remember, the best results in baking come from top quality ingredients. The secret to the melt-in-your-mouth flavor of these rolls is the vanilla. Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract, made with the world's finest vanilla from Madagascar, lends unmatched flavor and aroma to enhance cakes, puddings, pie fillings, custards, salad dressings and more.

For more tradition-worthy recipes to share with mom, visit www.wilton.com.

Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Glaze

Servings: 1 dozen rolls

Rolls:

• 1 1/3 cups warm milk (105°F)
• 2 packages (1/4-ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting

Filling:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons bread flour
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Glaze:

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 1/2 cup lightly-packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar (about 1/4 pound)

1. For rolls, stir together warm milk, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large bowl. Let stand 5-10 minutes or until foamy. Add butter, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, egg yolks, vanilla and salt. Mix with electric mixer using dough hook on medium speed until combined. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix on medium speed until smooth, elastic dough forms, about 5 minutes.
2. Spray large bowl with vegetable pan spray. Form dough into ball, place into bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand in warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
3. For filling, stir together butter, sugar, flour and cinnamon in medium bowl until well-combined.
4. Prepare 13-by-9-inch pan with vegetable pan spray.
5. Punch dough down and roll out to 18-by-14-inch rectangle on floured surface. Spread filling onto dough and roll up from long end, like a jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal, trim ends and cut into 12 equally-sized pieces.
6. Place rolls into prepared pan; cover with plastic wrap and let rise 25-30 minutes or until doubled in size.
7. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap from rolls and bake 25-29 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack while preparing glaze.
8. For glaze, melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cream. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture reaches a simmer; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Pour glaze over warm rolls. Serve warm.

Source: Wilton

(Family Features) The Mother's Day brunch is arranged, the cards and flowers are picked out - now it's time to make a show-stopping dessert that will truly make her day. And it's easier than you might think.

When looking for the perfect way to treat mom on Mother's Day, try a simple search on Bing.com. Bing makes it easy to find recipes by meals, convenience, or even ingredients to find just the right recipe - like cheesecake, pie or blackberry cobbler - to truly delight the special mom in your life.

Show your mom just how much she means to you by making her something special and giving her a Mother's Day she won't forget. Here are three delicious ideas.

Frozen Raspberry Layer Cake

From Country Living
Prep Time: 20 minutes (not counting freezing times)
Total Freezing Time: 4 hours+
Servings: 8 to 10

• 2 10 3/4-ounce frozen pound cakes, crusts removed, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 3 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
• 4 cups raspberry sorbet, slightly softened
• 1 pint fresh raspberries, rinsed and picked over
• 3 tablespoons Chambord, or other raspberry-flavored liqueur

1. Prepare the pan: Trace and cut out a 9-inch circle from parchment paper and fit it into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
   Cut out a 3- by 27-inch strip of parchment and fit around inside of pan. Tape to secure parchment paper and set aside.
2. Assemble the cake: Cover bottom of pan with a single layer of pound cake slices and spread ice cream evenly over cake. Freeze until ice cream hardens - about 25 minutes.
3. Spread 2 cups sorbet over ice cream, followed by another layer of pound cake slices. Return cake to freezer for 10 minutes.
4. Combine raspberries and Chambord together in small bowl. Remove cake pan from freezer and place berries evenly over cake.
5. Top with a final layer of pound cake and remaining sorbet. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze until firm - at least 4 hours.

Upside-Down Honey Cheesecakes

From Bon Appétit
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour+
Servings: 12

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 2/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• Assorted fresh berries (for garnish)

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Butter twelve 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups.
2. Place 1 cup sugar, honey, and butter in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until butter melts and mixture is blended.
   Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Whisk until mixture darkens slightly and candy thermometer registers 300°F, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat; add 1/3 cup water (mixture will bubble vigorously); whisk to blend. Divide topping among ramekins (about 2 tablespoonfuls for each). Divide ramekins between 2 roasting pans and chill while preparing filling.
4. Using on/off turns, blend cream cheese and brown sugar in processor, scraping bowl occasionally. Add sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla; process until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, processing just to blend between additions. Divide filling among ramekins.
   Add enough hot water to pans to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
5. Bake cheesecakes until set, about 35 minutes. Remove from roasting pans and chill until firm, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
6. Run thin knife around sides of ramekins. Invert onto plates, scooping any remaining topping from ramekins over cheesecakes. Garnish with berries.

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

From Redbook
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 12

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup sour cream

Topping

• 1 quart strawberries, hulled, thickly sliced
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
2. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In large bowl with mixer on medium, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla. With mixer on low, alternately beat in flour mixture and sour cream until combined. Continue to beat on medium until batter is thick and smooth.
3. Spoon batter into a zip-top bag. Snip a 1/2-inch corner from bag and fill liners slightly less than two-thirds full. Bake 24 to 26 minutes, or until lightly golden and a pick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes; remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely.
4. Toss strawberries several times in a bowl with sugar and lemon juice until very syrupy. In large bowl, beat cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
5. Use a skewer to poke several holes into top of each cupcake. Spoon some syrup from bowl over top, allowing it to absorb into cupcakes. Top with sliced berries and a dollop of cream. Arrange a few sliced berries in cream and drizzle with remaining strawberry syrup.

Source: Bing.com