Apple Toffee French Toast with Apple Syrup

French Toast


8 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tart apples, peeled and chopped
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 sugar
1/4 cup Tree Top apple juice
2 tsp vanilla, divided
1/2 cup English toffee bits
5 eggs
3/4 cup milk

Apple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
2 T cornstarch
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 c Tree Top apple juice
2 T lemon juice
5 T butter

To make the French toast:
Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 13x9 -inch baking pan; top with apples. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugars, apple juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth; stir in toffee bits. Spread over apples. Top with remaining bread cubes.

In another large bowl, beat the eggs, milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well blended; pour over bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350F for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. While the French toast is baking, prepare the syrup.

To make the apple syrup:
In a medium-size saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch,cinnamon, nutmeg, apple juice and lemon juice; heat to a boil, whisking constantly. Boil for 1 minute, then stir in butter. Seve over warm Apple Toffee French Toast. Makes 8 servings.