Skiers French Toast

Serves 6 - 8

2 Tblsp. corn syrup (light or dark)
½ cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 loaf of unsliced white French or Italian bread
5 eggs
1 ½ cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt

In a small saucepan combine the syrup, butter & brown sugar; simmer until syrupy.  Pour this mixture into a greased 9"X13" pan.  Set aside.

Remove the crust from the bread if you like & slice the loaf into thick slices.  Place on the syrup in the baking pan.

In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, vanilla & salt.  Pour evenly over the bread.  Cover & refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, leave the casserole at room temperature while the oven preheats.  Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered for 45 minutes.  Remove from oven and serve while hot, with syrup.

Note:  If you increase the batter - which creates a custard-like consistency - it will need more time & a slightly different technique.  Cover the baking pan with foil & remove same near the end of the cooking cycle to create a slight crust on top.  Add more eggs & vanilla extract than called for if you do want a custard-type result.

Aside - consider dipping the slices in the batter before placing them in baking pan.

Melinda Dorl
2006