sugar crusted vanilla french toast

we love breakfast around here, in case you haven't noticed. 

i first made this yummy french toast for chase last valentines day, and he was a big fan..so we kept it in the recipe box. i made a few changes to lighten it up, and made it again this weekend when my brother and sister in law came to visit. they were big fans too, so i decided it was finally time to share it here...and because my sister-in-law asked! one reason i love this recipe for special occasions: you start it the night before! this saves time the morning of, since you just mix up the topping, pour it over and bake. enjoy!

• sugar crusted vanilla french toast •

ingredients:
1 loaf of good, crusty bread sourdough or french bread..{about a 1 pound loaf}
for the custard:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk 
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• pinch of sea salt

for the sugar crust:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter {can sub coconut oil}
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 Tbl. light corn syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

directions:

• 1 day ahead: spray a 9x9 inch pan with nonstick spray. add the bread slices, stacked standing up. set aside while you mix up the custard.
• in a medium bowl, add the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and whisk together. pour the mixture over all the bread slices inside the pan. *make sure to evenly coat and soak each piece, this is so important! seal the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

the next morning:

• preheat the oven to 350. get your french toast casserole from the fridge and prepare topping.
• melt butter in large bowl. once melted, add the brown sugar and corn syrup, whisking well to combine. microwave on high a few more times in 30 second bursts until the sugar melts and sauce is bubbly. whisk in vanilla extract.
• pour the sugar mixture over the french toast casserole, covering all parts!! bake for 40-45 minutes, until the french toast puffs up and is golden and baked through. serve warm with powdered sugar!

xo

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