A delicious Overnight Baked French Toast made with stale bread, eggs, and a sweet caramel topping. This dish is ideal for brunch, especially during the festive season. It's easy to prepare the night before and bake the next morning for a comforting treat.
1: Grease a 9x13 baking dish with softened butter.
2: In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and a pinch of flaky salt. Bring to a boil and whisk occasionally for about 4 minutes until thick caramel forms.
3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add cubed bread and stir to combine, ensuring some excess liquid remains.
4: Decant half of the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, drizzle with caramel evenly, then top with the remaining bread mixture.
5: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
6: The next morning, preheat the oven to 175C/350F and remove the dish from the refrigerator.
7: Remove the plastic wrap. Combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the top of the bread. Dot with butter.
8: Bake for 50-60 minutes until the top is a deep golden brown and slightly caramelized.
9: Serve immediately, optionally with maple syrup, alongside eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.
