An overnight French bread and cream cheese bake served with apple cider syrup.

Ingredients

Strata:

  • 1 (1lb) loaf unsliced French bread
  • 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, cubed
  • 8 eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups milk, light cream or half-and-half
  • 6 tbsp butter or margarine, melted
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

Apple Cider Syrup:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp butter or margarine

Steps

  1. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cut French bread loaf into cubes, for about 12 cups of cubes.
  3. Place half the bread cubes in prepared dish.
  4. Top with cream cheese cubes, then remaining bread cubes.
  5. Combine eggs, milk, melted butter and maple syrup in a blender and process until combined, or beat well in a mixing bowl.
  6. Pour egg mixture over bread and cheese cubes.
  7. Using a spatula, press down bread cubes to moisten.
  8. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-24 hr.
  9. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  10. Remove plastic wrap from baking dish.
  11. Bake 35-40 min, or until center appears set and edges are lightly golden.
  12. Let stand 10 min before serving.
  13. For syrup, stir together sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in small saucepan.
  14. Stir in apple cider, blending well.
  15. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
  16. Cook and stir 2 minutes more.
  17. Remove pan from heat and stir in lemon juice and butter or margarine, stirring until melted.
  18. Serve strata with apple cider syrup.