Saturday Beefcake Brunch

French Toast Casserole
Bonnie Stern
Friday Night Dinners (2008)




7 large eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla paste
1 unsliced challah or egg bread (about 1 1/4 pounds), crusts removed, cut into 1-inch pieces




1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
350° oven
Ice cream, mixed fresh berries or double smoked bacon, for garnish




1. In a large bowl, combine the eggs with the milk and vanilla. Add the bread cubes and combine well.
2. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
3. Place the bread mixture in a buttered 9x13 baking dish.
4. Combine the melted butter with the brown sugar and maple syrup.
5. Drizzle this mixture all over top of bread.
6. Bake on a baking sheet to catch any spills until puffed and browned, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.