Paula Deen's French Toast Casserole

Paula Deen knows how to make an amazing meal with lots of butter, that's for sure. This breakfast casserole is totally worth the calories, though! Brian requests I make it almost every time he's home, and, being the nice girlfriend that I am, I even sometimes oblige. :)

One of the reasons this is so wonderful is that you prepare it the night before. So for just a little bit of effort, you can lazily wake up, throw it in the oven, and have an amazing breakfast while still hanging out in pajamas. Just a warning, this French Toast Casserole has a consistency a lot like bread pudding. So if you don't like a little "goosh," for lack of a better word, you may not like it. It does help to let it sit and cool for 20 minutes before you dig in...if you can wait that long!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. 

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.