Best of the Brunch: French Toast Casserole

A couple years ago I was at a pot luck brunch. After filling my plate at the buffet table, I sat down to eat. Looking over the random mix of stuff on my plate, I decided to dig in to what I was told was French toast casserole and I instantly entered heaven. Turns out it was made by one of my best friends, Ainsley, who had the recipe passed on to her by a friend. I left brunch that day with a full stomach and the recipe that would become my brunch staple. Every time I make it I get nothing but compliments and an empty casserole dish. I recently made it for another pot luck brunch, and received the same response as always, as well as a list of emails to send the recipe too. This is the recipe that will never die, make it for your next brunch and I can guarantee that you will be passing it along at the end of the day.

French Toast Casserole

• 7 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 loaf of Challah bread, unsliced
  
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1. Cut the Challah into 1 inch cubes. (the recipe originally called to cut the crust off the bread first, I prefer to keep them on, either way will be delicious)
2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk and vanilla. Stir in the bread cubes. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Pour the bread mixture into a greased casserole dish.
4. Combine the melted butter, brown sugar and maple syrup and pour over the bread mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes.