Are You Hungry Yet?

Because you will be after you read this recipe! I'm thinking of making brunch Sunday, and if I do, I'll be making this:

It's called Baked French Toast Casserole and it's brought to you by the one and only Paula Deen!

Only Paula could create something this divine, yet SO easy. I'm dying to try this in my own kitchen. You might want to remember though, you do have to prepare the dish one night before baking. The liquid has to soak into the bread for 8 hours, but it looks worth the wait!

Here goes:

Ingredients:

Dash of salt1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (brown)
2 Tablespoons of sugar
1 cup whole or 2% milk
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
Butter (for pan)
1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
Praline topping (recipe follows)
Raspberry syrup (recipe follows)

Praline Topping:

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

Raspberry Syrup:

1 cup raspberry preserves
3 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons raspberry liqueur

Directions:

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 x 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 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Inactive Cook Time: 8 hours
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Yield: 6-8 servings

Praline Topping: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.

Raspberry Syrup: Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until warm and thinned out like syrup.