An amazing, light-and-fluffy, make-ahead, baked French toast that will have people asking you for the recipe. Be it Father's day brunch or Christmas morning. This is a simple but delicious dish that is a great addition to any brunch.
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Ingredients
½cupunsalted butter (113 g)
1cuppacked Brown sugar (213 g)
2tablespoonscorn syrup (41g or 30 ml)
1(8 to 9-inch) round loaf Challah bread cut into 1-inch slices
5large eggs
1 ½Chalf-and-half (363 g or 375 ml)
1teaspoonvanilla (5 ml)
1teaspoonGrand Marnier or other orange liqueur (5 ml)1/2 tsp orange extract would also work
¼teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Save the ends of the bread for another use or eat them as a chefs' treat. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer of an ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. You can trim the pieces to get them to fit well. Don't be afraid to squeeze them in a bit. Now that you have figured out how the pieces will fit into the pan, take them out and place them on the counter or a cutting board in the position they will belong in the pan. It is much easier to figure out how to fit the pieces together this way than once you have hot sticky syrup in your pan.
In a small heavy saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring until smooth. You don't need to boil this, but you want to stir until you do not see a layer of melted butter floating on the top and the sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture into the bottom of your baking dish.
Since you already know how they will fit into the pan this should be easy - Arrange bread slices in a single layer on top of the syrup, squeezing the slices slightly to fit. Phew, the hard part is done.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, Grand Marnier, and salt until well combined. Pour evenly over the bread.
Cover the baking dish and chill for at least 8 hours.
Remove the pan from the fridge about 45 minutes to an hour before you are ready to bake it. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Bake uncovered, in the middle of the oven until puffed and edges are pale golden 35-40 minutes. Serve warm.
This dish does not need syrup but is delicious with a squirt of whipped cream and a handful of fresh berries.