Looking for something that appears fancy but is totally easy? And yummy? For breakfast or brunch, this strata hits all the right buttons. And it looks like a fancy chef spent HOURS making it just for you and your guests.

Total Time: 4 Hr. 15 Min.
Prep Time: 15 Min.
Cook Time: 4 Hr.
10 servings, 1 cup each

Impress your family and friends with this Slow-Cooker Cheesy Bacon Strata. Watch our video for tips on how to make this tasty brunch entré.

What You Need
10 eggs
2-1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA, divided
16 slices French bread (3/4 inch thick), toasted, cubed
10 slices cooked OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crumbled
4 green onions, sliced

Let’s Make It
1 – Whisk eggs, milk and pepper in large bowl until blended. Reserve 1/2 cup cheese. Add remaining cheese to egg mixture with all remaining ingredients; mix well.
2 – Cut 3 (30-inch-long) sheets of foil. Fold 1 sheet lengthwise in half twice; repeat with second sheet. Fold remaining sheet to fit inside back edge of slow cooker; place in slow cooker. Crisscross foil strips; use to line bottom and sides of slow cooker. Spray inside of slow cooker with cooking spray. Add egg mixture. If necessary, press toast cubes into egg mixture with back of spoon to completely moisten toast cubes.
3 – Cook on LOW 4 hours, sprinkling with reserved cheese for the last 15 min. Cool slightly. Use foil handles to transfer strata from slow cooker to platter; discard foil.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Note: For best results, do not prepare this recipe using the HIGH heat setting on your slow cooker.

Tip 2 – Food Facts: Since most slow cookers tend to have a hot spot on the back side of the slow cooker, we cover the hot spot with foil to help prevent this delicate strata from burning.

Tip 3 – Serving Suggestion: Start off your day with this quick-and-delicious entrée. Serve with a seasonal fruit salad to round out the meal.

Tip 4 – From our partners at McCafé®: Create a Coffee Bar: Serve freshly home brewed McCafé® coffee, and provide a variety of toppings such as thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, grated BAKER’S Chocolate, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon and nutmeg, liqueurs and sugar to create your special treat.

Tip 5 – Variation: Prepare using OSCAR MAYER Turkey Bacon.

Be sure to head over to MY FOOD AND FAMILY to watch the video! It took me watching it to figure out how to do the foil “lining.” By now, I’m sure no one is surprised that the Tate boys can fend for themselves in the kitchen. Katherine Tate loves her boys and loves cooking for them, but she made sure they can feed themselves–and the women who corral their hearts. It’s not mentioned in the book but Cooper Tate totally made this brunch dish for Britt Owens. The paperback of TWICE THE TEMPTATION should now be available everywhere that carries Harlequin series or you can order it on-line. Just click on the title or the cover. The Harlequin page lists links to all the booksellers carrying TEMPTATION. Pssst If you buy directly from Harlequin, I get a better royalty rate, just sayin’…

So, are you a fan of fancy brunches? With mimosas and bellinis and little croissants that melt in your mouth? The fun thing about this recipe is that not only does it look elegant, but it’s totally filling and satisfying. It has the Tate Boys’ Seal of Approval.