Valentine's breakfast panini recipe: Nutella-filled French toast waffle hearts

Nutella-filled French toast waffle heart with my strawberry-maple syrupAbout five year's ago, I started a Valentine's Day tradition where I challenged myself to make every meal heart shaped.

Cookie cutters have played a huge part in accomplishing the goal. I've used them to press out easy heart-shaped sandwiches. Mini heart cutters have produced Valentine's theme dippers for fondue, and I've even used metal cutters to shape pancakes on the griddle (this was before I discovered the egg "rings" that come in a variety of shapes beyond round. They have a convenient lifting handle that eliminates the need to use kitchen tongs to remove sizzling metal cookie cutters from the griddle. 

This year, I wondered if I could do something with French toast, since it's a favorite breakfast of almost all my loved ones.

I also share my house with a Nutella addict,  so I have been thinking of a way to creatively combine the two for the annual heart-shaped Valentine's breakfast. Regular French toast with Nutella filling has been done, so I tried to come up with ways to make it more interesting.

It ocurred to me to try turning French toast into a Nutella-filled "waffle-nini" using my Belgian waffle iron, eliminating the need to buy one more heart-shaped gadget.

The cookie cutters came into play again, and I tested the idea with pleasing results after two runs. The first batch didn't turn out well because I used a heart-shaped cutter that was too round, and it didn't keep an obvious heart shape after being pressed in the waffle iron.

The second time, I used a longer cutter with a narrower end. (Yes, I have MANY heart-shaped cutters...). The second choice, with results shown above, worked great. Here's how I did it: 

First steps: Use a cookie cutter to press heart shapes from four slices of firm whole-wheat bread. Spread both bread hearts with Nutella to make a heart-shaped sandwich.

Second steps: Plug in the waffle iron to pre-heat. In a shallow dish, beat one exta-large egg with 1/4 cup of milk, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a dash of nutmeg. An oblong glass bread pan works well. Dip the Nutella sandwiches briefly into the egg mixture, turning to coat both sides. 

Third steps: Coat the Belgian waffle iron's top and bottom cooking surfaces with cooking oil spray and place one of the French toast hearts on the grates.

Fourth steps: Close the waffle iron gently, pressing down to flatten the Nutella-filled French toast heart. (Note: Applying too much pressure will force out the filling.) There will be lots of steam at first. Let the heart cook about 3 minutes, or until it's as brown as desired. Crunchy (but not burned) is good. Repeat with the second heart.

Finish: Put the Nutella-filled French toast waffle heart on a plate. Serve with warmed homemade strawberry syrup.

Note: Depending on your Valentine's appetite, doubling the recipe might be in order.  This recipe will make two hearts.

Variations: Because these waffles are made with sliced bread, it's easy to change the fillings and toppings.  Here are a few options:

Peanut butter and banana filling; top with chocolate sauce.

Cinnamon cream cheese and chopped walnut filling, topped with homemade caramel sauce.

Fruit spread filling, with powdered sugar.