School is back in session! As a parent, I can write that with glee. I recall when I was a student, I’d say it with dread. Regardless, the first night at the end of the summer that I could say “It’s a school night”, I decided to take a bit of the sting away by making something special – French Toast Casserole.
Such a great tasting meal. Perfect for brunch or a kid’s sleepover.
Using fresh French bread is a must.
Slice the bread and place the slices in a baking dish. Try to expose the “face” of as many slices as you can.
Pour over the egg mixture. The recipe calls for this to sit over night. I’m willing to bet you could make it same day, but I have not tried it that way.
The sugary nut mixture.
Ready for the oven.
Smells so good coming out of the oven.
Lined up in a path to my mouth!
Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup
Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 40 min | Makes: 6 to 8 servings | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Dash salt
- Praline Topping, recipe follows
- Maple syrup
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat 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 and beat 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.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.
Rantings of an Amateur Chef 
I can see how this could help 🙂 Looks delicious!
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Yum!! Going to have to try this one.
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Perfect for a school night… or every other night! Delicious 🙂
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Sounds like a pan full of heaven. Nice post!
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What a wonderful advice… 😛
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mmmm….looks yummy! My middle-schooler loves french toast at any meal 🙂
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This looks fantastic! It would also be great for holidays when family is over.
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This is very similar to a baked French Toast that I do. It makes the whole house smell amazing. Not much work to look like a rockstar.
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Delish!!!
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Ohh… My… Goodness!
This is a must-try! I can almost smell it off the screen!
Hubby’s family has a similar bread-soaking recipe with ham and cheese…
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That’s nice.
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Looks delish, but not sure my kids could stay out of trouble with that much sugar first thing in the morning! Perhaps a Sat/Sun morning treat for us.
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Excellent consolation for the start of school!
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Hi Ranting Chef! I nominated your blog for the One Lovely Blog Award 🙂 http://simplycessie.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/first-lovely/
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That looks awesome 🙂
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Its sounds absolutely delicious . will try it sometime.
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Thanks for checking out my Tea Foodie blog and liking my Sweet Lavender Guacamole recipe post. I love this breakfast for dinner idea. Reminds me of growing up, whenever my mom was away my dad would make us breakfast for dinner: french toast, pancakes, omelets, bacon. He was good at breakfast food.
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Reblogged this on Rangelcateringandeventplanner.
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Wow, just saved this one to make for the family! Looks delicious!
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This would be great when we go camping in the trailer. Yummy!
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Reblogged this on gottopickapocketortwo and commented:
Delicious sounding and very easy recipe to make French Toast more of a gourmet delight.
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