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French Toast Casserole

Source of Recipe

From "The Tailgater's Cookbook" by David Joachim


Recipe Introduction

"During the summer, I'm a surf rat. I love going to the Atlantic coast and riding the waves. The past few years, we've been getting our kicks in Avalon, NJ, a sleepy beach town south of Atlantic City. We sometimes stay at the Sealark Bed & Breakfast, run by Pat Ellis and John Oldham. Pat always has great breakfasts. She was kind enough to share this recipe with me and it's since become a hit at tailgates. To keep it warm, wrap the casserole in foil and then in thick bath towels. The bread doesn't stay quite as crisp as it is fresh from the oven, but the flavor is still great. The early arrivals at your tailgate will be glad you brought this to the game. By the way, if you have stale bread, use it. It softens as it soaks up the eggs overnight."

List of Ingredients

◦  1 small loaf (8 ounces) stale French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (8 to 10 cups)
◦  8 eggs
◦  3 cups milk
◦  5 Tbsp sugar
◦  2 tsp vanilla extract
◦  ¾ tsp salt
◦  2 Tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
◦  ¾ tsp cinnamon
◦  Maple syrup


Recipe

◦  Before You Go:
The night before, grease a 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish with butter, oil, or spray. Put bread cubes in dish. Beat eggs, milk, 4 tablespoons of sugar, vanilla, and salt in medium bowl. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, remove from fridge 20 minutes before baking. Heat oven to 350° F. Dot casserole with butter and combine remaining 1 tablespoon sugar with cinnamon; scatter over top.

Bake until a knife inserted near center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cover with a double-layer of foil and wrap in cloth towels (big, thick bath towels are best). When wrapped, this casserole will stay warm for 3 to 4 hours. Carry it in a bag or just in the back of your vehicle.

◦  When You Get There:
Unwrap, slice, and serve with maple syrup.

Neighborly Tip:
∙ To make Apple French Toast Casserole, lay 2 cored, peeled, and sliced apples over the bottom of the greased dish. Scatter an extra 1 tablespoon sugar mixed with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon flour over the apples. Top with bread cubes and continue with recipe.


Makes 10 servings