French Toast Casserole

A couple of weeks ago, I scored some sweet swag at a garage sale.

Cashew Bacon Caramel Corn by Kudos Kitchen by Renee

Then, everyone was posting about popcorn! It's like they knew I just got my first popcorn popper!

Smoky Bacon Popcorn with Burnt Sugar and Sea Salt by How Sweet It Is

I can't even contain my excitement!

THERE'S BACON IN BOTH OF THESE RECIPES!!!

Buttered Popcorn Crunch Brownies by How Sweet It Is

Buttered Popcorn Cookies by I Was Born To Cook

JUST STOP! I'm too excited now. Have they been reading my diary?

Let us catch our breath so we can move on to breakfast. French Toast Casserole, my friends, French Toast Casserole. There are many different renditions of this delectable morning treat. This recipe is simple and is both savory (bacon!) and sweet (french toast...duh). Make it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning. The original recipe calls for one loaf of french bread. I like to get two of the day-old loaves from Jimmy John's. $1.00 for the two! What a bargain!

French Toast Casserole

from JennyMac Lipsmack

1 loaf french bread (or two loaves of Jimmy John's), cut into 1-inch cubes (10 cups)

8 eggs

3 cups half and half (or cream if you want it silky rich) 

1/4 cup sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon salt

12 strips of bacon, cooked and broken into pieces.  

Topping:

2 tablespoons butter, cubed

3 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

maple syrup

Using a serrated knife cube your french bread into one inch pieces.   

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, cream, sugar, vanilla and salt.  Add bread and mix with egg mixture to coat.  Add bacon pieces and mix again.

Grease a 13X9 baking dish (those non stick glass ones are awesome).  Pour all your eggy bready bacony mixture into the baking dish.  Cover and place in fridge overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Uncover and give the bread another stir.  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over the bread cubes and dot with butter.  Cover with non stick foil and bake for 45-50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.