Apple Toffee French Toast

by Mrs. R
from Virtuous Daughters, February 2011~Volume 10, Number 11

• 8 c. french bread cubes            
• 3 tart apples peeled and diced
• 8 oz. cream cheese softened     
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. sugar                              
• 1/4 c. apple juice
• 2 tsp. vanilla                            
• 1/2 c. english toffee bits
• 5 eggs                                      
• 3/4 c. milk

Syrup:

• 1 c. sugar          
• 2 T. cornstarch            
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg            
• 2 c. apple juice            
• 2 T. lemon juice
• 5 T. butter

*Note: I used wholewheat bread and cut out 1/2 the sugar*

Place 1/2 of bread into buttered 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle apples on top. Cream together cheese, sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and apple juice and spread over bread and apples. Sprinkle with toffee, top with the remaining bread cubes. Mix eggs, milk, and 1 tsp. vanilla together. Pour egg mixture over all in pan. Cover and refrigerate till morning. Let set at room temperature 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 for 40–45 min. While baking, make syrup. In medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, spices, and juices; heat to a boil whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute then stir in butter. Pour over the finished French toast and serve warm. Makes 8 servings.