Baked French Toast Casserole

We first made this dish for our Christmas morning breakfast.  And then we made it again a few weekends ago when my sister and her family were up visiting from Maryland.  Both times it was delicious.  Warning:  it is a Paula Deen recipe and it is NOT low-fat!  It uses half-and-half in the french toast and a LOT of butter in the praline topping.  My husband helped make this and he ended up halving the butter and sugar in the praline topping to try to cut down on some of the butter and sweetness.  This is sweet enough that it does not need maple syrup. This is one of those recipes that you can put together the night before, and then in the morning spread the praline topping on and stick in the oven. This is definitely a keeper for an occasional breakfast treat!

Baked French Toast Casserole
recipe from Food Network, courtesy of Paula Deen, Paula's Home Cooking

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

Directions:
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each.  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.

Praline Topping:
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

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up.

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