Recipe(tried): Apple French Toast for Shar (make ahead)

Dear Shar,

I hope I am not too late with my posting...this is the best French Toast I have ever made for company. It is prepared the night before and ready to pop into the oven the next day. Everyone loves this one!
Enjoy!

~G

APPLE FRENCH TOAST

This is the "Queen" of all French Toast recipes, kids and hubbies just love this with cold milk, ummmm, just awesome!!

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (dark)
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp lite corn syrup
1 large Granny Smith (or any other) apple, cored, peeled and cut up
1 loaf of day-old French Bread
3 eggs
1/2 cup cranberries
1 cup milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp Spice Blend*
1 tbsp vanilla extract

In a small pan, combine the brown sugar, butter, apples, cranberries and corn syrup and cook till thick, 2-3 minutes Pour into a ungreased 9x13" baking pan (glass is best).

Slice the bread into 3/4-inch slices. In a large bowl beat the eggs, milk and vanilla and spices. Dip the bread into the mixture and let each slice soak for 30 seconds.

Arrange on top of the fruit mixture. Pour any excess liquid over, cover and refrigerate overnight.

Bake next day in oven at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes.

*Spice Blend is a jar of spice I bought at Pier One a couple of years ago. When I went back to get more, they were out. Luckily I kept the jar with the ingredients and now I make my own. It is simply equal portions grounded of:
ground coriander, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, sugar, aniseed, fennel seeds, and ground ginger. I ground it in the coffee machine grounder. It is fabulous.