When we have fast food breakfast, my kids ask for a) mini pancakes from Jack in the Box or b) French Toast Sticks from Burger King - minus the maple syrup because I'm a control-freakin' mom who can't handle sticky messes, let alone sticky messes in my car! There was a time not so long ago when Jack in the Box served French Toast Sticks instead of the Mini Pancakes, and in my personal opinion, they were better than Burger King's, but they've been replaced with the minis, so Burger King it is.
I'm also the type of mom who really doesn't care for lunchtime. Most days, the girls get good ol' peanut butter and jelly. Nothing wrong with a classic, right? It's simple, easy, yummy, and hey...most days I'm too lazy to make anything more. So PB&J is what you get. Funny how my kids never get tired of it, though.
A few years ago, like 4-5 years ago, I was watching my favorite daytime talk show - Rachael Ray - and she made PB&J French Toast Sticks, inspired by Burger King! At the time, she was working on a new family-friendly cookbook, and I just fell in love with the recipe. I knew that my only kid at the time, Gracie, would just fall over backwards for this breakfast. So, I made it, and she did fall over backwards.
I made that recipe once or twice a month until my second daughter Eden came along...and then I kind of forgot about it until just recently. A few months back it hit me that I hadn't made this breakfast for the girls, but you know how it is - when you finally remember to make something and go ahead and make the plan to do it, something comes up or you are running behind and it just doesn't happen. It happens to us all, right? Well, we had just gotten back from our California road trip and we literally had nothing in the house. Josh had pretty much eaten the last of the cereal, and I wanted to save my eggs for possible dinners (since I didn't know when we were going to make it to the store). After rummaging around the kitchen, I remembered Rachael Ray and her PB&J French Toast Sticks and I have a Voila moment. So, I assembled everything - which took like five seconds - and soon enough breakfast was served.
Grace - the poor thing - didn't remember this breakfast because it's been so long since I've made it for her, but she quickly rediscovered how much she loved it, while Eden couldn't stop talking about how good it was. The girls kept thanking and thanking me for making them this yummy and fun breakfast. I couldn't believe how something so simple could make two kids so happy.
I love this breakfast because of how easy it is, but also because this is a breakfast or even a snack that will make anyone happy. Who doesn't love PB&J? You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter and whatever jelly you like. Make this over the weekend and I promise, your kids and your husband will proclaim your name through all the lands, hailing you as the best wife and mother of all! Take that, Snow White!
Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast Sticks
Source: Rachael Ray's Yum-O Cookbook or watch the video at the Rachael Ray Show
Ingredients:
8 slices whole-grain bread
4 TB peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
4 TB all-fruit spread, flavor or your choice
6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 TB butter
1/2 cup pure maple syrup, warm
Directions:
Spread 4 slices of the bread with peanut butter and the other 4 with the jelly to make four peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla together in a bowl.
Place a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add two TB of butter. When the butter is almost melted, dunk two of the sandwiches into the egg batter and let the excess drip off. Place in the pan. Fry the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Cut the french toast sandwiches into 4 sticks apiece and serve with warm maple syrup.
