Baked French Toast Casserole
By Paula Deen
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Difficulty: Medium
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients
- dash salt
- 1 teaspoon divided ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon divided ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 loaf (13 to 16 oz) French bread
- 1/2 lb plus more for pan butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 cup raspberry preserves
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur
Directions
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9X13 casserole dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon 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 °F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.
Praline Topping:
Combine butter, brown sugar, pecans, light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.
Raspberry Syrup:
Combine raspberry preserves, water and liqueur in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until warm and thinned out like syrup.
