BAKED FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Baked French Toast Casserole image

Provided by Angela (Grammy) Derby

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 16

BREAD MIXTURE
1 loaf french bread, torn into chunks or cut into cubes
8 eggs
2 c milk
1/2 c heavy cream
1/2 c sugar
2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
TOPPING:
1/2 c butter
1 c brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
1 c chopped pecans (optional)

Steps:

1. Grease a 9X13" baking pan with butter.
2. Tear bread into chunks or cut into cubes; evenly lay out in prepared pan.
3. Mix eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg together. Pour over bread.
4. Refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.
5. In morning, preheat oven to 350'F. Prepare topping.
6. Melt butter and cook with brown sugar and syrup or honey until just boiling. (If you add the pecans, this will be a wonderful praline topping.) Pour over bread mixture.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes for a soft, moist texture; and 50-60 minutes for a firmer, less moist one. If top starts to get too brown, cover loosely with aluminum foil. Serve immediately.