Leftover Toast Transformation - Cubed Honey Toast Dessert

Honey toast, it was the dessert that took over the spotlight long before boba milk tea. Take a big chunk of un-sliced toast, about half loaf, hollow out the center so the toast become sort of a container. Then all the fancy sweet stuff kicked it. The bread that was removed from the loaf, after adding some sugar and a quick toast in the oven, put them back for extra crunch. Other ideas such as ice cream, fresh fruits, all kind of sweetened sauce, whatever yummy components you can think of.

But that can be a hassle to make, and you have to get an entire un-sliced toast to do so. Why not use few slices of thick-cut toasts instead to make similar dessert? It can also be a lovely transformation when there are some leftover toast, even dried out ones work just as well.

Cubed honey toast dessert -

Ingredients (for two)?

• 2 slices thick-cut toast (I used honey flavored, but plain toast works just as good)
• Some semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Some heavy whipping cream
• Some granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 ripe banana
• Some matcha ice cream (or other preferred flavor)
• Some fresh berries (optional)
• Some fresh mint leaves (optional)
• Some powdered sugar (optional)

How?

It's actually a very versatile dessert that doesn't have to stick with exact ingredients listed here. Just go ahead and use whatever fruits, sauces, and ice cream you'd like. Even some extra sweet treats can be added like Snickers, M&M's, and Hershey's Kisses. 

Store-bought chocolate sauce or caramel sauce can do the trick. I happened to have some chocolate chips left, so used a double boiler to melt some semi-sweet chocolate chips with heavy whipping cream. No exact amount recorded, just melt the chocolate till half way and slowly mix in the heavy whipping cream till it reaches desired liquidity. 

Another easier way to do is simply warm up some heavy whipping cream using low heat, don't bring it to a boil. Pour the warm cream over chocolate chips, but it works better if you kind of know the cream and chocolate ratio for the sauce. Otherwise, pour in the heavy whipping cream a little bit at a time and keep mixing. Add more if the sauce seems too thick, and keep adjusting till desired liquidity.

Beat one egg as simple egg wash. Prepare a plate of granulated sugar. Slice the toasts into cubes, 9 cubes per toast. Brush all toast cube sides with egg wash and dip with sugar. 

Transfer prepped toast cubes to a baking dish.

Toast in oven using high heat, about few minutes. Keep an eye on it because up to a point these cubes will turn brown fairly quickly. 

Once slightly browned, carefully remove the baking dish out and flip the toast cubes.

Back to the oven and toast the other side till colored. The texture will turn crunchy during this process also.

Peel and slice the banana, also prep other fruits if using. Put the toasted cubes on the bottom, but it can also be arranged throughout. Just put all the ingredients together and top with a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle some sweet sauce over. 

Perhaps dust with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh mint leaves, whatever delights you.

By the way, when making the toast cubes, make sure to "brush" the egg wash instead of "soaking" them. Soaking the toast can result in different texture, more like a French toast bites instead, that'll be another recipe to show.

This dessert can be fun for parents to make with kids. Let them help baking the toast cubes and put on the toppings. A little treat can go a long way, creating some heart-warming memories while safely staying at home during such tough times.



Other dessert recipes:

• Cheesecake terrine
• Taiwanese aiyu jelly
• Mango mousse for two
• Steamed pear with rock sugar 冰糖燉水梨
• Custard-like matcha pudding (抹茶プリン)