French Toast Casserole

I swear this is not a cooking blog :) but it has been what I've been up to lately, so I figured I'd share a few oldie but goodie recipes! A good friend gave me this recipe a few years ago - This will be the second year I serve it for breakfast on Christmas morning. My kids all love this (they can be very picky), so this is a special treat. The treat for me is that you can make ahead and freeze it which I plan to do today!

Got lots of wrapping done last night (yay!) but still have more to do! Project Runway was a rerun last night (booooo) but I realized I fell asleep last week before I saw who was "auf" - sorry Steven but you had to have seen that coming, that wedding dress was a toughy! I was SO SAD to see Jack go.... he was my favorite, his clothes were totally "me" and I had predicted him the winner. Health issues forced him to exit early, so now my new prediction for PR4 winner is (drum roll.......) Rami! Stay tuned :)

French Toast Casserole

Combine the following in a pan over medium heat:

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
3 Tbsp. maple syrup

Spray 11 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray (I am going to use on those recycle aluminum tins). Pour the mixture into the dish. Slice a loaf of French bread into 3/4 to 1 in. thick slices. Arrange bread on top of the sugar mixture.

In another bowl beat:

7 eggs
2 cups milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla

Pour mixture over bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Bake uncovered at 350 for 30-45 minutes. (it will set like a custard and I will say when I make it, it is closer to 45 minutes and sometimes even over that)

Can also be frozen unbaked. Allow to defrost in fridge overnight and bake. I do this for Christmas morning. Yummy and effortless! Enjoy!