Ingredients

• 6 slices applewood smoked bacon
• 6 teaspoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate
• Pinch salt
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 vanilla beans, halved and seeds scraped
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 slices brioche bread
• 4-ounces or 1 stick butter
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 bananas, thinly sliced
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. To make the bacon: Lay the bacon on a baking sheet covered with nonstick mat or parchment paper. Sprinkle each piece of bacon with 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Drizzle the honey over the bacon and then sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake the bacon in the preheated oven until crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes.
3. To make the ganache: While the bacon is cooking, make the ganache. In a small saucepan over low heat, bring the heavy cream to a simmer. Add the chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat, stir in the salt and pour into a bowl. Set aside.
4. Remove the bacon from oven and cover to keep warm. Lower the oven temperature to 200 degrees F.
5. To make the French toast: Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla beans (pods and seeds), and sugar together. Lay the brioche slices in a baking dish and pour the egg mixture over the bread. Let the bread set for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
6. Melt the butter in a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Gently add the egg-coated brioche to the pan and cook until golden on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the toast to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.
7. To make the garnish: In a bowl, gently stir the strawberries and sugar together and let set for 10 minutes.
8. To make the whipped cream: Using a whisk or an electric hand mixer, whip the heavy cream for a few seconds and then add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract. Continue to whip the mixture to medium peaks and place in a serving bowl. Chill the whipped cream until ready to serve.
9. Serve each piece of French toast with a slice of sweet bacon on top. Serve the toppings family-style. Hold a piece of toast in hand and top with a bacon slice and other toppings as you see fit. Fold the toast like a taco. Eating with your hands is highly recommended!