Paula Dean's Baked French Toast Casserole

Submitted by PACE

"This is fantastic. Ideal for any breakfast or brunch"

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 dash salt

• Praline Topping

• 1⁄2 lb butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

directions

1. Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.
2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.
3. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
4. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Combine all ingredients for the Praline Topping in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.
6. Serve with maple syrup.

Reviews

[LoriL]

Absolutely delicious! I made it for Christmas morning and it was a HUGE hit with everyone. Very easy to make the night before. I did not add the pecans because nobody in the family likes pecans, but I did everything else as instructed. Still delicious. I didn't eat my serving with syrup and it was great. Other people did and said I should try it, but by that time, I was full.

 

[SherriJP]

We had this for a family brunch. Really tasty!!