• 1 tsp of triple sec. (can substitute with orange or almond extract)
• 1 home made French bread baked in a round loaf
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp of corn syrup
• 9 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups of half and half
• 1 tsp of vanilla
• 1/4 tsp of salt

Serves 6 (to make for two, simply divide ingredients by three but do not  reduce the caramel sauce unless you also reduce the size of your pan.

Caramel Sauce

Melt 1 stick butter. Stir in 1 cup packed brown sugar and 2 tbsp corn syrup. Spread on bottom of a cookie sheet. Cookie sheet should have sides, such as a jelly roll pan. Save clean up time by lining the pan with aluminum foil.

Creme

Mix 9 eggs, 2 1/2 cups half and half, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp triple sec.(can substitute orange or almond extract) and ¼ tsp of salt.

Bread

When served at The Queen, we start with a home made French bread baked in a round loaf pan.  When using a smaller loaf of bread you may need to use two slices to form your heart. Soak the bread in the egg and milk mixture until saturated. Lay soaked bread hearts on top of the caramel sauce.  Cut a small V on one side to form the top of the heart and pinch the opposite two sides together to form the bottom point on the heart.

Bake and Serve

Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve caramel side up and top with a fresh flower, fresh fruit or shaved chocolate for a garnish. To save more time for romance, this recipe can be prepared the night before and refrigerated until time to bake.