If French Toast and a Cinnabon had a baby....

... this is what it would taste like.  I made this for hubby's birthday breakfast today, and I think we both agree that it's pretty darn tasty.  Not something to eat every day because it definitely gives your pancreas a work out, but it's a pretty great way to celebrate a special day :)

This is from Top Secret Recipes 2 by Todd Wilbur.  This is an entire book of copycat recipes from many famous restaurants.  This recipe happens to be a combination of two from the book, one from Denny's and one from IHOP.

Let's start with the Denny's one, since it's the basis of the recipe.

Denny's Fabulous French Toast
Makes 2 servings, 3 slices each

4 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (Don't add more than this; LOTS more cinnamon coming later)
6 slices thick bread
tbsp butter

Directions:

1. Whisk together all ingredients other than flour and butter.
2. Melt butter in skillet
3. Drop each bread slice into the batter for about 30 seconds on each side.  Let some of the batter drip off the bread into the buttered pan.  Cook each battered bread slidce for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side or until golden brown.

Meanwhile.....proceed with this recipe:

IHOP Cinn-a-stacks

Cinnamon Sauce
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 tbsp half and half
1 TABLESPOON ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp all-purpose flour

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Add brown sugar, 2 tablespoons half and half, cinnamon, salt and cloves and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a simmer.  Immediately remove from heat, add remaining tablespoon of half and half and stir in the flour.  Set aside

Cream Cheese Icing
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a mixer and blend until smooth.

Assemble the Cinn-a-Stacks:

Place a piece of french toast on the plate.  Top with some cinnamon sauce.  Repeat with remaining pieces (2 more per serving) and drizzle with cream cheese sauce.  Top with some whipped cream if you really want to gild the lily!!

Happy Eating!