Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

Yield:6 to 8 servings 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces) 8 large eggs 2 C half-and-half 1 C milk 2 Tbsp maple or granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg Dash salt

Maple Syrup Praline Topping 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 C Maple syrup

1 C chopped pecans 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.

1. Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs).

2. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

6. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

7. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.

Serve with maple syrup.