Cherry Amaretto French Toast

Recipe from Bowman's Oak Hill Bed & Breakfast.

Ingredients:

7 eggs
3 cups half & half
8 slices dense french bread
2 tbl butter

For french toast:

Butter or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. combine the eggs and half & half and pour a small amount in the dish. Put the bread in a single layer in the pan. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread and let stand 5 minutes. Turn slices over, cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning melt butter in hot skillet and cook the french toast until golden brown on both sides.

Cream Cheese Topping:

8 oz. softened cream cheese
3 tbl amaretto or 1 tsp almond extract
3 tbl half & half
3 tbl sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Mix first 4 ingredients until smooth. then stir in almonds, set aside.

Cherry Amaretto Sauce:

4 cups frozen or fresh dark pitted cherries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbl butter
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup amaretto or 2 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup cherry juice
2 tbl corn starch

Place first 6 ingredients in sauce pan, bring to boil. Mix corn starch and Amaretto mixture in small bowl and add to cherry mixture. Continue cooking, stirring until thickened.

To Assemble:

Place a slice of french toast on place, spread cream cheese mixture over top. Then spoon cherry sauce on top and sprinkle with slivered almonds.