Thursday, April 16, 2009

Paula Deen's Baked French Toast Casserole


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
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup

Directions
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. 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. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
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

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole

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I made this for a breakfast potluck at work the Monday after Easter and it was well received! It was very tasty and very easy. It was sweet enough for me that I didn't need to use the maple syrup.

2 comments:

jenianddean said...

Meghan - I have made this a bunch of times and people always love it! It's great if you are having overnight guests.

-Jeni

doughmesstic said...

Meghan! Wow! I had stopped coming by your blog because you hadn't updated in, like, forever - but I have some catching up to do! And you are expecting! How awesome for you both. I found that having a foodie/mommy community online really helps...hope it will help you, too! Have you joined any foodie groups? There are several on my sidebar if you are interested...drop by! (after all, it was YOU who inspired me to food blog - really!)
Susan
www.doughmesstic.com