Food has a way of bringing people together. We created a Pumpkin French Toast Casserole with layers of sourdough bread and pumpkin purée topped with a pecan streusel and Lifeway Kefir so you can share it with those you love. Every spoonful is an opportunity to make someone feel good! Serve this dish to your family, coworkers, or even strangers, it is a surefire way to start a conversation and share the kindness of giving.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese,a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Servings: 6-8Ingredients
For the French Toast
- 1 sourdough loaf, diced
- 2 ½ cups Organic Whole Milk Plain Kefir
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 6 eggs
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
For the Streusel
- ½ cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (use gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup cold butter, diced
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Directions
- For the French Toast Casserole: In a large bowl whisk together the Whole Milk Kefir, granulated sugar or coconut sugar, pumpkin purée, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Dice or tear sourdough bread and spread around in a casserole pan.
- Pour the mixture you made in the bowl over the sourdough bread, and make sure everything is soaked with the golden goodness.
- For the streusel: Mix together all dry ingredients and add in diced cold butter and mix with fork until crumbled. Crumble over top of French toast mixture.
- Bake 350ºF oven for 48-55 minutes. Enjoy!
