baked apple cinnamon french toast

Baked apple cinnamon French toast
1 tablespoon butter
3 medium apples, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 cups cubed bread
4 large eggs
¼ cup maple syrup
1 ¾ cups whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup pecans, chopped
confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Place a skillet over medium heat. Add in the butter. Once melted, add in the apple and brown sugar. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Turn off the heat and stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside. Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish. Place the bread cubes evenly in the baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, maple syrup, milk and vanilla. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the dish. Sprinkle with the pecans. Spoon the apple mixture evenly on top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for about 50 to 60 minutes. The custard should be set and should not “wiggle” if you shake the pan. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired.