FRENCH TOAST WITH ITALIAN BREAD RECIPES

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.Spray a 9-inch x 13- inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.Tear the bread into chunks and place them in the greased pan. Mix together the eggs, milk, half and half or cream, sugar, and vanilla and pour the mixture evenly over the bread. In another bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the butter and mix until the batter comes somewhat together. Sprinkle the flour/sugar mixture evenly over the top of the bread mixture. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until golden brown. Store any leftovers in fridge, tightly covered.

Steps:

• Prepare a 9"x13" baking dish by generously buttering the entire inside of the dish. Set the baking dish aside.
• Slice the French bread, on the bias approximately 1-inch thick. Arrange slices in your prepared baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. Set dish aside. In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
• Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, making sure they are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. I like to make sure all my slices are good and coated. Even dunking them in the mixture sometimes. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, preheat oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, prepare the praline topping by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix to combine. Scoop out praline topping and make 8 dollops of topping. Then spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread (like you are icing a cake).
• Bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.
• Serve and enjoy!
• How to prevent soggy French toast - We have been enjoying this recipe for 6 years. I have made a few changes. There is less milk/cream than in the original recipe, as the bread is sometimes too moist for my taste.
• Substitute for half and half - Half and half is a dairy product found in the USA. You can substitute half cream and half milk for half-and-half. You can also use any combination of all cream to all milk as long as you are adding 1-1/2 cups total.
• Praline topping - In the original casserole recipe, the praline topping included corn syrup. It really doesn't need it, so it is no longer in the recipe.
• Serving suggestions - This french toast casserole is amazing served with fresh berries instead of the praline topping if you are looking to lighten it up.
• Freezing the casserole - The leftovers freeze VERY well! We eat about 1/4 of the pan. I freeze the leftovers in 3 containers, so when we want a special breakfast I just thaw it and pop it in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes. Perfect.