Apple Toffee French Toast With Apple Syrup

A yummy make-ahead casserole created by & submitted to Costco Connection Magazine by N. Mesch. I made this for my family and they loved it, so wanted to put it here for safekeeping,

• Ready In: 8 hrs 45 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• French Toast

• 8  cups  French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3  tart apples, peeled and chopped
• 8  ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  apple juice
• 2  teaspoons vanilla, divided
• 1⁄2 cup  English toffee bits
• 5  eggs
• 3⁄4 cup milk

• Apple Syrup

• 1  cup sugar
• 2  tablespoons cornstarch
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2  cups  apple juice
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
• 5  tablespoons butter

Directions

1. To make the French toast:
2. Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 13x9-inch baking pan, top with apples.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugars, apple juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth; stir in toffee bits. Spread over apples.
4. Top with remaining bread cubes.
5. In another large bowl, beat the eggs, milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well blended; pour over bread.
6. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
7. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
8. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. While the French toast is baking, prepare the syrup.
10. To make the apple syrup:
11. In a medium-size saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, apple juice and lemon juice; heat to a boil, whisking constantly.
12. Boil for 1 minute; then stir in butter.
13. Serve over warm Apple Toffee French Toast.
14. Enjoy!