Famous French Toast Bake

Famous French Toast Bake

Tami B.
Yields: 6 medium servings (9x13 pan)

1 loaf French Bread (cubed into 1” pieces)

8 oz. cream cheese

9 eggs

½ cup sugar

2 1/4 cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. almond extract
cinnamon

OPTION 1:

-Layer half of the French bread in a 9x13 pan, evenly layer cubes/pinches of cream cheese, and then layer the second half of the bread. 

OPTION 2: 

Slice the french bread loaf into individual slices. Spread warmed cream cheese on each piece. Then dice up the slices so you end up with about 1" cubes. Toss them all in a 9x13.

  **For a variation, sprinkle in fruit, without juices (berries, peaches, etc.) 

Set bread dish aside. Mix remaining ingredients (except cinnamon) and pour over bread mixture in pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

-Cover with foil and set in refrigerator overnight, if possible. It can be cooked right away but the mixture soaks in better overnight. 

Bake at 350 degrees-30 +/- minutes with foil on, 15 minutes with foil off. 

(cook time may vary if you added frozen berries, or if it's a Tuesday. Half the time we have to bake our for 15 more with the foil on. You want no liquid egg mixture left, and you want the tops a little crunchy after you have the foil off at the end.)

Optional Buttermilk Syrup:

Bring to boil:

½ cup butter

¾ cup sugar

½ cup buttermilk

Take off heat and add ½ tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. vanilla. Syrup should bubble. Stir gently and serve.