Overnight French Toast

By CheeseDiva

Ingredients

• butter (for preparing baking dish)
• 1 loaf French bread
• 8 large eggs
• 1 cup half-and-half -- or less liquid - it might be too moist
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Praline Topping
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation

Step 1

Prepare a 9x13 baking dish by generously buttering the entire dish. Set the baking dish aside.

Slice the French bread, on the bias approximately 1-inch thick. Arrange slices in your prepared baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. Set dish aside. In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until well combined.

Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, making sure they are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. I like to make sure all my slices are good and coated. Even dunking them in the mixture sometimes. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, prepare the praline topping by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix to combine. Scoop out praline topping and make 8 dollops of topping. Then spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread (like you are icing a cake).

Bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.