baked challah french toast

ok you are thinking Another French Toast recipe????? well, all i have to say to that is this one is perfection.  brit and i keep tinkering with the recipes...using stuff we have in the pantry...this one was fast, not messy...super delicious and great as left overs right out of fridge.  challah bread from nyc, zested mandarin orange....and crunchy crumb topping...warm maple syrup..ahhhhhhh

best french toast bake ever....not super sweet just good

recipe after the jump

for the french toast:
1 large loaf challah bread cut into 1 inch cubes
5 extra large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups 1% milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon maple syrup
zest one mandarin orange
handful of golden raisins
butter for the dish
for the topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup softened butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

 preheat oven to 350 degrees....use a heavy baking dish and butter it up.  throw in the diced challah...sprinkle with handful of raisins.  in another bowl beat eggs and add vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, milk, cream, syrup, orange zest and mix it all together ...dump on top of the challah....let it sit 5 minutes then gently toss with a spatula.  then make the topping:
beat the softened butter in the bowl of a mixer...add in the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and mix to a crumb topping.  sprinkle the crumbs on top of the challah....bake for 30 min then change setting to broil for 5 minutes...ish...keep an eye on in...you want to crisp up the topping without burning it....serve with heated maple syrup and bacon....wonderful!

adding the crumb topping

ready for the oven

brit serving breakfast

simba....visiting grand dog...sporting his scaaaaaaarf....(bostonian) no tasting.......