French Toast Casserole

French Toast Casserole

Firm white bread
1/3 C chopped pecans
1/2 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
8 eggs
1 3/4 C milk
2 tsp vanilla

Grease 13x9" pan well.  Cut bread into 1" cubes.  Combine pecans, brown sugar & cinnamon.  Arrange 1/2 of the bread in a single layer in pan.  Sprinkle 1/2 the sugar mixture over bread.  Repeat.

Whisk eggs, milk and vanilla together.  Starting from the sides of the dish and working towards the center, pour egg mixture evenly over bread.  Gently press bread down to coat.  Cover with foil and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.  Heat oven to 350*.  Bake covered for 20 minutes.  Remove foil and bake about 30 minutes more until lightly browned and puffed.  Serve with maple syrup.