French Toast Baked in Honey-Pecan Sauce

This comes from "The New Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook" and I'll say nothing more about that. This is really, really good. You'll get out of it what you put into it, meaning....real vanilla extract, real butter and real maple syrup. This needs to set overnight and that's not included in the prep time.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 4  large eggs, beaten
• 3⁄4 cup half-and-half
• 1⁄2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4  slices  day-old French bread (1/2 inch thick slices)
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces (1/2 stick)
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup honey
• 1⁄4 cup maple syrup
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped pecans

Directions

1. Combine eggs, half-and-half, 1 T. brown sugar and vanilla extract in a small bowl, whisk till blended; pour half of the mixture into a baking dish (sized large enough to hold bread slices somewhat compactly).
2. Place bread into dish; top with other half of egg mixture, making sure all parts of bread are saturated with the liquid. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350°. Place butter in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish and set in oven; when butter is melted, stir in brown sugar, honey, maple syrup and pecans.
4. Set soaked bread slices on top of pecan mixture. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
5. Remove with a spatula and invert slices on 2 serving plates. Spoon any extra syrup and nuts on top.
6. Serve immediately with ice cold milk or piping hot coffee.