Baked Apple French Toast**

1 (16 oz) loaf of French bread
1 Tablespoon vanilla
8 eggs, lightly beaten
5 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
3 cups milk
¾ cup sugar, divided
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 Tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 400˚. Spray 9x13” glass dish with vegetable oil spray. Slice bread into 1 ½” slices. Place bread tightly together in one layer in the dish. Mix eggs, milk, ¼ cup sugar, and vanilla. Pour half of the liquid over the bread. Place apple slices on top of the bread to cover. Pour remaining liquid over apples. Mix remaining sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over apples. Dot with butter. Bake for 35 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next morning for 50 minutes. Once dish is baked, cool for 5-10 minutes before serving with favorite syrup. Makes 12 servings.