Recipe: Apple French Toast (baked, 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 brown sugar (dark)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 large Granny Smith (or any other) apple, cored, peeled and cut up
1/2 cup cranberries
2 tbsp lite corn syrup
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp Spice Blend*
1 loaf of day-old French bread, 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 oven at 350 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 - 02-13-2000