French Toast Casserole

We love French Toast for breakfast.  Sometimes we even have it for dinner.  When I found this recipe for French Toast Casserole, I thought this might be something my family would enjoy.  I like that this recipe looks simple to make with simple ingredients and I won't have to stand over the griddle making individual pieces of french toast.

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1 loaf French bread (about 10 cups) cut into 1-inch cubes
8 eggs
3 cups milk
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
For the Topping:
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, cubed
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Maple syrup or pancake syrup
Directions
Place bread cubes in a greased 9x13x2 baking dish. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Dot with butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over top.

*Cover and bake at 350 degrees F. for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve with syrup.

*I realized after writing this post that I did not cover this casserole when I baked it. That's why it turned out toasty on top. I liked it toasty, but next time I want to cover and bake and see how it turns out that way, too.

Source Cooking.com

Helping Hands :)

Dig in!

The bottom is soft and custard-y, but the top is crispy and toasty

The Results...
French Toast Casserole was very simple to make.  It had a soft, custard-y bottom and a toasted cinnamon-sugar top.  We ate it warm with syrup drizzled on top. 
 
Most of us really liked this recipe.  I made this for breakfast during the week and my teenage son ate two servings before heading out to school.  When he came home from school he asked if there was anymore left that he could have for an after school snack.  My two little ones that aren't in school yet both loved this dish.  They ate this for breakfast and asked for more at lunchtime.  French Toast Casserole was a hit with these three kiddos.  I also thought it was tasty.

My 8 yr. old daughter didn't really like this dish.  She ate it, but she didn't enjoy it.  My husband hated it.  He couldn't even finish his French Toast Casserole.  He thought it was gross, but he also hates bread pudding or anything with soaked bread in it.  

Our family's opinion was divided on this recipe.  I still think it is worth a try.  If you give this recipe a try, let me know what side you're on..............................Love it or Hate it! :)   

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