French Toast Casserole With Caramel-Pecan Topping

Submitted by Galley Wench

"Sinfully delicious! Found this recipe in my America's Test Kitchen's Family Cookbook. Prepare the casserole the night before and add the topping just before baking. Great way to use up your leftover homemade bread. As you can see this is one of those 'splurge' recipes . . . . do not make substitutes! Time indicated includes soaking. This recipe can easily be cut in half to serve four!!"

 

• Ready In: 9hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• CASSEROLE

• 1 loaf French bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick (I use sourdough)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg

• TOPPING

• 12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks)
• 1 1⁄3 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 1⁄2 cups pecans, chopped

directions

1. Casserole:

2. Heat oven to 325°F.
3. Arrange bread in a single layer on two baking sheets.
4. Bake bread until dry and lightly browned; about 25 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and allow bread to cool.
6. Butter or spray the bottom and side of 9 by 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
7. Layer the baked bread tightly in the prepared dish; you should have two layers.
8. Whisk together the eggs, milk, half and half,sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.
9. Pour evenly over bread.
10. Press lightly on the bread to submerge. (I've found it helpful to cover the pan with plastic wrap and then place a weighted saucer on the top).
11. Refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours.

12. Before Baking:

13. Preheat oven to 350°F.
14. Mix the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup together until smooth.
15. Stir in the pecans.
16. Spoon the topping over the casserole and spread evenly.
17. Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, about 60 minutes.
18. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Reviews

[beckykristula]

This was fantastic! I made this recipe on Christmas Eve this year and we all loved it! I will definitely make it again. It was nice to be able to make it the night before and have it waiting in the fridge. I left the frosting ingredients sitting on the counter ready to mix up (so thw butter would be soft) and it was really easy. We also really enjoyed the leftovers the next morning.

 

[gaju2667]

This was just wonderful! I will make it again for company. All my guests asked for the recipe. I gave this recipezaar web site. Thanks Junme

 

[evelynathens]

I scaled this down to half for the kids, but they let mommy have a taste. Delicious! I used the Greek equivalent to Wonder Break (crustless). Drying the bread out helped it stand up to its custard bath, and the topping was yummy. :-)

 

[Pat A 2]

WOW, WOW, WOW, was this a hit at my party. Everyone raved about it and asked for the recipe. I used pure cream instead of half and half because that is all I had on hand. This will become a shared recipe with everyone in this valley.