Frenchy Toast Casserole (French Toast Casserole) Ala the Cassero

This recipe is from the Casserole Queens from their Casserole Queens Cookbook. The two run a casserole home delivery chef business in Texas. Frenchy toast casserole is a great way to have French toast for a brunch or breakfast without someone slaving away at the stove. This is a recipe you can tweek to your liking. If you like it less sweet decrease sugar and butter mixture. If you like a certain fruit on top use it in whole form, in a puree on top or even a layer of jam in between layers, or use no fruit at all. It is great with no added syrup because the paste layer or layers makes it sweet. It is a great presentation. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 1 casserole

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks or 3 small sticks)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  packed light brown sugar
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1  loaf  extra-thick sliced  white bread, such as Texas Toast, crusts removed
• 2  cups  whole milk
• 6  large eggs
• 1  cup  your favorite berries

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon and stir to make a paste.
3. Spread the paste in the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Lay the bread on top of the paste in two layers.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Pour the mixture over the bread in the dish.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until top has risen a little and is golden brown.
6. Top with berries when serving if using berries or see options above.
7. This casserole can be made the night before and kept chilled in the fridge overnight. All you’ll have to do the next morning is pop it in the oven.
8. It is Vegetarian friendly!