Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread (13-16 ounces)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- Dash salt
- Praline Topping, recipe follows
- Maple syrup
- Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs).
- Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping 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 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 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.
Praline Topping
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.
Notes: Recipe source ~ The Food Network

