Maple Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

Plan ahead this needs to be refrigerated for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight. I tossed the bread cubes with a couple teaspoons of cinnamon before placing in the baking dish, but that is optional, if you prefer a less sweeter taste just omit the white sugar completely --- this is *very* good!

• Ready In: 8 hrs 50 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 10  cups  bread cubes (cut into about 1-inch cubes, use stale bread but not hard for this)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 3 -4  tablespoons sugar (optional or to taste)
• 8  large eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 1⁄2 cups full-fat milk
• 2⁄3 cup half-and-half cream (or use all half and half cream)
• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
•  powdered sugar

Directions

1. Place the bread cubes in a buttered 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
2. In a bowl beat the softened cream cheese with sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
3. Add in eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition.
4. Add in milk, half and half cream, maple syrup and vanilla; beat until well combined.
5. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish, using a fork or spoon gently lift the cubes so that they coat evenly with the egg mixture.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-24 hours.
7. Next morning set oven to 375°F.
8. Remove the dish from the fridge and let sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes.
9. Bake uncovered for about 45-50 minutes or until set and a golden brown colour.
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple more maple syrup.
11. Delicious!