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Christmas Breakfast: Baked French Toast Recipe

By Elaine Mellen

Posted on December 15, 2015

For Christmas Breakfast, its best to use a do-ahead recipe so you have the most time to spend with friends and family. No last-minute cooking this Christmas!

My Christmas morning French Toast Casserole is do-ahead, easy and delicious. Make it Christmas Eve for a no hassle morning. Add on the crumb topping and you don’t even need maple syrup.

Did I mention that it smells heavenly when baking?

Christmas Breakfast: Baked French Toast

French Toast Ingredients:

1 loaf Italian bread ( 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
Crumb topping (as made below)
Maple syrup (if desired, crumb topping takes the place of syrup)

Directions:

Slice Italian bread into twenty 1-inch slices. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and arrange slices in two rows, overlapping the slices.

In a large bowl combine eggs, half and half, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and beat with a mixer or whisk until blended.

Pour egg mixture over the bread, slowly, making sure to evenly cover all the bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

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Crumb Topping Ingredients:

1/4 cup of butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Christmas Day Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread topping over bread (It will not cover all of the bread) and top with cranberries.

Bake covered for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup if desired.