Overnight Caramel French Toast

by Julia Smith, General Manager & Editor in Chief at Marketplace Magazine

What you’ll need:

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup light-colored corn syrup

1/4 cup butter

Cooking spray

10  (1-ounce) slices French bread (soft bread such as one you might find at the Safeway bakery)

2 1/2 cups 1 percent low-fat milk ( you can also use half and half for a richer flavor)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

(I also like to add pecans into this recipe – about ½ to 1 cup depending on your taste.)

In addition, if you wish to add fresh fruit on top when serving, I suggest bananas or fresh berries.

DIRECTIONS :

Combine first 3 ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until mixture is bubbly, stirring constantly. Make sure not to burn.  Pour mixture evenly into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Arrange bread slices in a single layer over syrup in dish.

Combine milk and next 4 ingredients (through eggs) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Pour egg mixture over bread slices. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over bread. Bake at 350ºF for 50 minutes or until golden. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Bon Appetit!