Creme Brulee French Toast

Total Time: 8 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 8 hrs Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/2-1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 loaf 9 inch round country bread (such as challah, you can also use a bagette, leaving on the crust)
• 5 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon grand marnier
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 in a small heavy saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring, until smooth and pour into a 13x9x2" baking dish.
• 2 cut six 1" thick slices from center portion of bread, reserving ends for another use, and trim crusts.
• 3 arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.
• 4 in a bowl whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, grand marnier and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread.
• 5 chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
• 6 preheat oven to 350* and bring bread to room temperature.
• 7 bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, about 35 to 40 minutes.
• 8 serve hot french toast immediately.