French Toast Strata

Taken from Busy Mom's Cookbook


INGREDIENTS

• 1 (1 pound) loaf cinnamon bread, cubed
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, diced
• 8 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• Cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. Cube bread and let set in open air for about a day, allowing it to become stale.
2. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange 1/2 of the cubed bread in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the cream cheese evenly over the bread, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with remaining bread.
3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the cream, butter, and 1/4 cup maple syrup. Pour over the bread mixture. Cover with plastic wrap, and press down so that all bread pieces are soaked. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
5. Drizzle remaining maple syrup on top.
6. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.