Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

By AnneS

Ingredients

• Prairie topping:
• 1 loaf French bread
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• dash salt
• 1/2 pound butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Preparation

Step 1

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1" thick. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 x 13" baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt with a rotary beater or whisk until blended, but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Next day: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all the ingredients for the Prairie Topping in a medium bowl. Sprinkle on top. Bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Maple Syrup.