(Culinary.net) Waking up, no matter how late, can be such a drag. You’re moving slow and cuddled up warm under the blankets. However, your stomach is growling which means eventually you are going to have to arise.

When you do stumble out of bed, it’s time to get the day started with a delicious casserole on your plate. It’s a warm, freshly baked Overnight Apple Cinnamon Fresh Toast Casserole.

Prepared the day before and chilled overnight, this casserole is ready to throw in the oven once you’re up. It’s gooey on the inside and baked to a perfect crisp on the outside, plus it’s filled with mouthwatering apples and ground cinnamon, not to mention the sweet glaze drizzled on top at the end.

It’s perfect for any breakfast or brunch occasion and the little ones will enjoy the sweet crunch, as well.

To start, add cubed French bread to a glass baking dish. Add apple pie filling on top of the bread and smooth it out over the entire dish. Then add more cubed French bread on top.

In a mixing bowl, whisk nine eggs, half-and-half and cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients in the baking dish.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and chill overnight.

Remove the foil and bake for about an hour. Let cool.

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to form a sweet glaze. Drizzle the glaze over your warm casserole and enjoy.

Whether you are waking up on an early Monday morning or lounging around in your pajamas for an hour (or two) over the weekend, this breakfast casserole is worth the wait.

Find more breakfast and brunch recipes at Culinary.net.

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Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

Servings: 12

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1          package (20 ounces) French bread, cubed, divided
• 1          can (20 ounces) apple pie filling
• 9          eggs
• 1          cup half-and-half
• 2          teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1          cup powdered sugar, plus additional (optional)
• 2          tablespoons milk, plus additional (optional)

1. Spray 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In baking dish, add 10 ounces cubed French bread in bottom of dish. Pour apple filling over bread. Top with remaining cubed French bread. Set aside.
3. In medium bowl, whisk eggs, half-and-half and cinnamon. Pour evenly over bread.
4. Cover with aluminum foil and chill overnight.
5. Heat oven to 325 F.
6. Remove foil and bake 50-60 minutes.
7. Let cool 10-15 minutes.
8. In small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk. Add additional, if needed, until pourable glaze is reached. Drizzle over casserole before serving.

(Family Features) When the scent of fresh blooms begins to fill the air, it’s a sure sign that spring has sprung. It’s the perfect time of year to gather loved ones for a leisurely meal, then linger over dessert as you enjoy this season of refreshment.

No dessert menu is complete without an array of treats, and these creamy, homemade Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars are the perfect way to put a sweet finishing touch on your celebrations. Or go for a crowd pleaser with this Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert and its smooth, velvety texture and plump, juicy cherries.

The secret ingredient in each of these desserts is Lucky Leaf Fruit Fillings, which are GMO-free and contain plenty of fruit – and no high-fructose corn syrup – for exceptional tasting desserts every time. With popular flavors like apple, blueberry, cherry and strawberry, you have plenty of convenient, versatile ways to dress up desserts.

Find more tasty treats for all your spring entertaining at luckyleaf.com.

Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

Recipe courtesy of Inside BruCrew Life blog
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 24

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 30 vanilla cream-filled cookies
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup key lime juice
• 1 tablespoon key lime zest
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 eggs
• green gel food coloring (optional)
• 1 can (21 ounces) Lucky Leaf Blueberry Pie Filling, divided
• 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
• key lime slices (optional)

1. Place baking sheet on bottom rack of oven. Fill halfway with water. Heat oven to 325° F. Line 9-by-13-inch pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
2. Using food processor, pulse cookies until crumbly. Stir together crumbs and butter. Press evenly into bottom of prepared pan.
3. Beat cream cheese until creamy. Add sugar and sour cream, and beat again until smooth. Add key lime juice, zest and flour, and beat until mixed thoroughly. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat gently after each. Add green food coloring to cheesecake mixture, if desired.
4. Spread cheesecake batter evenly over crust in pan. Add 1 cup of blueberry pie filling over top of cheesecake. Use butter knife to gently swirl pie filling into cheesecake. Do not let knife go through to crust.
5. Place pan on oven rack above tray of water. Bake 45-48 minutes. Remove immediately and place on wire rack for 1 hour then place in refrigerator until completely chilled.
6. Cut into 24 squares and serve with whipped topping, remaining pie filling and key lime wedges.

Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert

Recipe courtesy of Lemon Tree Dwelling blog
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12

• 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 16 ounces whipped topping, divided
• 2 small boxes cheesecake-flavored pudding
• 3 cups milk
• 1 can (21 ounces) Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie Filling
• 1/2 cup. chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. In medium mixing bowl, combine vanilla wafer crumbs, finely chopped pecans and butter.
3. Press into 9-by-13-inch baking pan; bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
4. In separate mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 1/2 cups whipped topping. Mix until smooth; spread evenly over cooled crust.
5. Combine cheesecake pudding mix, milk and 1 1/2 cups whipped topping, and mix until smooth. Spread evenly over cream cheese layer in pan.
6. Top with pie filling, remaining whipped topping and chopped pecans.

Source: Lucky Leaf

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Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Sunshine Strawberry French Vanilla Cake

(Family Features) This Fourth of July, after the family has enjoyed the burgers, brats and potato salad, the only thing they'll be looking forward to more than fireworks are simple-to-make, delectable desserts to end a perfect summer night.

It's easy to simplify special occasion menus with cake mix and now, bakers of any skill level can easily make summer celebrations even more memorable and delicious.

You're sure to impress your July Fourth guests when you serve up patriotic treats that go beyond the box with surprising ingredients, such as rich cream cheese and mouthwatering fruit filling. Friends and family will find it hard to resist a second helping of treats that highlight the fresh strawberry flavor of the season. Here are two great summer recipes that take an easy and different spin on strawberries, for creative, delicious results.

For tips on how to incorporate a yummy finale to your July Fourth fare, as well as recipe ideas, visit www.duncanhines.com.

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 1 package Duncan Hines® Signature French Vanilla Cake Mix
• 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
• 3 eggs
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 can (21 ounces) Comstock® or Wilderness® Strawberry Pie Filling and Topping

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF. In large bowl combine cake mix, butter or margarine and 1 egg; blend well. Reserve 1/3 cup of mixture for topping.
2. Pat remaining mixture into bottom of well-greased 9-by-13-inch pan.
3. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy, beat in 2 eggs and 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar. Pour over cake mixture in pan. Spread strawberry fruit filling on top and sprinkle with reserved cake mixture.
4. Bake 1 hour or until lightly browned. Refrigerate until chilled; cut into bars and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar.

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Total Time

1 hour 15 minutes

Serves

24 bars

Sunshine Strawberry French Vanilla Cake

Ingredients

• 1 package Duncan Hines® Signature French Vanilla Cake Mix
• 1 container Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Vanilla Frosting
• 1 can Duncan Hines®, Comstock® or Wilderness® Strawberry Pie Filling & Topping

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Prepare and bake cake according to package directions.
3. Cool cakes on wire rack 15 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and cool completely.
4. Arrange one cake on serving plate and evenly spread with 1 cup frosting, leaving sides bare. Add layer of pie filling on top of frosting. Top with second cake layer. Garnish with remaining frosting and pie filling.

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Total Time

60 minutes

Serves

12 servings

Source

Duncan Hines