Recipe: Apple Cranberry French Toast Bake (make ahead)

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 dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 large Granny Smith (or any other) apple, cored, peeled and cut up
1/2 cup cranberries
2 tbsp light corn syrup
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp Spice Blend (optional)*
1 loaf day-old French bread, sliced in 3/4-inch slices

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-inch baking pan (glass is best).

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 a 350 degree F oven 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.

From: Gina,Fla - 08-16-2000