Baked French Toast

I got up at 6 this morning. I know that may not seem so very early to some of you. But for someone who normally rolls out of bed 20 minutes before she needs to leave for work, it was pretty early.

And why, might you ask was I up and about at such an hour? Baked French Toast. That's why. Warm and crunchy with caramel and nuts, it tastes like heaven. Or at least that is what Matthew said when he tried a piece. He also stated, quite accurately, that something this good has to be bad for you.

He was right. This recipe is far from healthy. It is drenched in caramel after all. But is is oh so delicious.

We start with some french bread. Sliced and arranged oh so beautifully in a 9X13 pan. Now if you have lots of time, just let it sit out for a day or so and get nice and stiff. Or, if you are in a bit more of a rush, stick it in the oven for 7 minutes at 400 F to toast it.

In a bowl whisk together your eggs, milk/ cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Or if you forgot to whisk in the cinnamon (me), just sprinkle it on top. 

Pour egg mixture over toasted bread, covering each slice as completely as possible. Some of the liquid will pool at the bottom, don't worry it will soak up.
Let the toast sit for a few hours, or ideally overnight.

In the morning, pop it in the oven (covered in tinfoil) for 20 minutes. While it is cooking, mix up your caramel until big and bubbly. After 20 min pull out the pan, pour on your caramel, sprinkle with nuts and stick it back in the oven for another 20 (uncovered). Enjoy!

Baked French Toast

Adapted from Allrecipes.com

1loaf French bread

6 eggs

1 ½ cups milk or half and half

2 tsp vanilla

1-2 tsp cinnamon

Slice bread, arrange in 9x13. Toast in oven for 7 min at 400 F. Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour over bread. Let sit overnight. I flipped the bread over after a few hours to let the other side soak up some egg stuff.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Bake for 20 minutes covered with tinfoil. Start caramel mixture.

½ cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 ½ Tbsp light corn syrup

½ cup nuts (pecans, walnuts, ect)

Mix butter, sugar and syrup in saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Pour over French toast. Sprinkle with nuts. Return pan to oven, uncovered for 20 more minutes.

Voila. Deliciousness. 

And here is a shot of real life. Where I put baked French Toast on my porch to take pictures because that is where there was the best light at 7am.