Baked Babka French Toast Sticks with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Although delicious, making a loaf of chocolaty Eastern European babka is quite an undertaking. For those of us who are time-challenged, here's a quick and easy substitute that will have everybody asking for more. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar if desired.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 282 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• cooking spray
• ¼ cup fat free half-and-half
• ¼ cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella®)
• 6 slices stale cinnamon bread (such as Thomas®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray.

Step 2

Cut each slice of bread into three sticks. Whisk together milk, egg, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a large shallow dish. Dip each bread stick in the egg mixture quickly to avoid soaking the bread, yet coating it on all sides; shake off excess. Arrange bread sticks on the prepared baking sheet without them touching.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, flip them, spray lightly with cooking spray, and return to the oven until cooked through and golden brown, about 8 more minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, whisk together hazelnut spread, half-and-half, cocoa powder, corn syrup, and salt in a small saucepan on medium-low heat. Bring to a boil and immediately remove pan from the heat, whisking until smooth.

Step 5

Remove French toast sticks from the oven and serve warm with the chocolate dipping sauce.