Apple Cranberry French Toast Bake

I *heart* French Toast Casseroles! I love how you can take SUPER STALE French bread and turn it into a breakfast (or dinner) masterpiece! By soaking the bread overnight in a fruity, egg-milk mixture, stale French bread can be completely transformed and redeemed!!! When I was sent this recipe, I HAD to try it!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 cup  melted butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 3  apples, peeled and sliced
• 1  cup dried cranberries
• 1  loaf  French bread, cut into 1 inch slices
• 6  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1  tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
•  fresh fruit, to serve as a side
• 8  slices bacon

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix in melted butter or margarine. Stir in chopped apples and dried cranberries until evenly coated. Pour into prepared pan.
2. Arrange French bread slices in an even layer over apples.
3. In same bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Pour over bread, making sure every slice is fully soaked. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate over night. THIS IS KEY!
4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove dish from refrigerator while the oven is heating. Bake covered for 40 minutes. Remove cover, and bake 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
5. Prepare your favorite fruit or bacon.
6. Serve Apple Cranberry French Toast Bake with Fruit and/or Bacon!