French Toast Casserole.

I found such a yummy recipe for French Toast Casserole one day, that I had to make it for our Saturday Breakfast. Since I've been on a baking streak, I decided to make my own challah bread instead of buying one. The results? DELICIOUS!! I posted the recipes to both the bread and the casserole below. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Baking the challah bread.

A beautiful, golden braid!

Preparing the casserole the night before.

The final product!!

French Toast Casserole

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 loaf challah, sliced 1 1/2" thick
8 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
pure maple syrup

1. Combine butter and sugar in bottom of baking dish in a nice, even layer.
2. Arrange bread slices on top, squeezing them into all the spaces
3. Whisk eggs and add all ingredients except pecans
4. Pour over bread
5. Top with pecans & cover with plastic wrap
6. Refrigerate 3-12 hours (can make the night before and leave overnight)
7. Set out at room temperature for 20 minutes
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until lightly browned
9. Remove and serve with warm maple syrup

Yummy!

I haven't made fresh, homemade bread in the longest time. I even gave my bread machine away about a year ago because I never used it. But using a bread machine is like cheating to me. It's taking a shortcut and I know that bread from the oven tastes better than bread from a machine. At least that's my humble opinion.

So today I decided to take out my apron and make some homemade sandwich bread. The results? DELICIOUS!!! My hubby came home to a loaf baking in the oven. He might not admit it, but I think he misses the days when I was a baking queen. After a lip-smacking, good dinner, we all had a slice of warm bread with melted butter. The kids enjoyed adding jam to it and I drizzled a little bit of honey on mine. And as I looked over to hubby's face, I knew that I was the reigning queen once more. Heavenly!