French Toast Bake

A great idea for Christmas morning breakfast!  I've changed up the original recipe a bit, but still give credit to the person who originally posted it, Deb Fowler Nicholson (https://www.facebook.com/deb.nicholson).  It's delicious and super easy!

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas-style thick-sliced bread
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla
powdered sugar, for sprinkling
cinnamon, for sprinkling

Mix brown sugar into melted butter; pour into bottom of 9" x 13" baking pan and spread around evenly.

Place bread slices in baking pan in a single layer; cut as needed to fit.

Beat eggs, milk, and vanilla together.  Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture over bread slices; sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Add another single layer of bread slices on top of the first; cover with remaining egg mixture.  Cover and chill overnight.

In the morning:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Bake covered for 30 minutes.  Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes.  Sprinkle with more powdered sugar and cinnamon. Serve with warm maple syrup.

From the kitchen of Deb Fowler Nicholson.
Photo credits:  Deb Fowler Nicholson