Samantha's French Toast Strada with Cider Syrup

Strada: 6 to 8 servings; syrup: about 1 1/3 cups

Laura

A delicious way to kick off a lazy Sunday.

ingredients

French Toast Strada
1 1-lb. loaf unsliced French bread
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, cubed
8 eggs
2 1/2 c. milk, light cream or half-and-half
6 tbs. margarine or butter, melted
1/4 c. maple syrup
Cider Syrup
1/2 c. sugar
4 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. apple juice
1 tbs. lemon juice
2 tbs. margarine or butter

directions

1
French Toast Strada
2
Cut French bread into cubes (you should have about 12 cups of bread cubes). Grease a 13x9x2 glass dish. Place half of the bread cubes in the dish. Top with cream cheese cubes and remaining bread cubes.
3
Combine eggs, melted butter and maple syrup in a blender container or a mixing bowl. Process or beat until well combined. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread and cheese cubes. Using a spatula, slightly press the layers down to moisten.
4
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours. Remove plastic wrap from baking dish. Bake, uncovered, in a 325F oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until center appears set and the edges are lightly golden. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with Cider Syrup.
5
Cider Syrup
6
Combine sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Stir in apple and lemon juice. Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir the mixture for 2 minutes more. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in margarine or butter until melted.

notes

Assemble this easy dish several hours ahead or the night before so it has time to set up. Also, Samantha uses a bit more cream cheese than the called for amount.

Source: Samantha Cornell