Breakfast or Dessert? French Toast Casserole

This reminds me of the Sticky Buns recipe on page 78 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook. The recipe was given to the Historical League by historic El Chorro Lodge.

It is also one of those great recipes you can make ahead for company.

Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter
2 cup corn syrup
1 loaf French bread, sliced
5 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
Garnish: powdered sugar, maple syrup

Directions:
Melt together brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in a saucepan over low heat; pour into a greased 13" x 9" baking pan. Arrange bread slices over mixture and set aside. Whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla; pour over bread, coating all slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden. Sprinkle with powered sugar; serve with warm syrup. Makes 6-8 servings

Options: To make Peachy French Toast - Omit the corn syrup. Put a layer of peaches down on the brown sugar mixture. Then add the bread.
Options: Add 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Crunchy French Toast with Maple Syrup

For a fabulous breakfast treat try this recipe from Camelback Inn found on
page 66 of Tastes & Treasures.

Crunchy French Toast with Maple Syrup
1/2 vanilla bean, or 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6(1-inch) slices white bread
2-3 cups cornflakes, crushed
6 tablespoons butter
confectioners' sugar
6 ounces (or more) maple syrup
Split the vanilla bean into halves and scrape the seeds into a medium bowl. Whisk in the eggs, milk and cinnamon. Add the bread and let soak for 1 minute per side. Press each piece of soaked bread into the cornflakes to coat. You may make ahead 1 day in advance up to this point. Wrap i plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat until the foam subsides. Add the coated bread and cook on each side until brown. Cut each piece into halves and arrange on serving plates. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and drizzle with the maple syrup. Serve immediately.
Serves 6