Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Crunchy on top... moist in the middle. I love this recipe! There is nothing I love more than the smell of this bake in the A.M. The original recipe was from a "Taste Of Home Special Addition" magazine but just as I do with any recipe I make I always change it a little to make it my own. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 1 bake

Ingredients

• 8  crusty  Portuguese rolls (cubed)
• 8  eggs (lightly beaten)
• 2  tablespoons  cinnamon baking chips
• 3  cups 2% low-fat milk
• 2  tablespoons  Splenda brown sugar blend
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

• Topping

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  tablespoon  Splenda brown sugar blend
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1. 1. Place bread cubes in a greased 13 in x 9 in baking dish.
2. 2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt.
3. 3. Pour Egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
4. 4. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Add cinnamon chips (I like to give it a quick toss to mix the bread with the egg mixture a little more).
5. 5. Dot with butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over top.
6. 6. Cover and bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with Maple syrup if desired.