French Toast Casserole

1 loaf Italian bread

8 oz cream cheese

½ cup sugar, divided

½ t vanilla (or almond) extract

1/2 (32 oz) EZPZ Apple Pie Filling

4 eggs

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons melted butter

DIRECTIONS:

1.            Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 9x13 baking pan.

2.            In a separate bowl, melt cream cheese in the microwave for 2 minutes, stirring several times along the way. Stir in half the sugar and all of the extract.

3.            Pour cream cheese mixture over the bread cubes. Note: It will not completely cover them.

4.            Cut up apples from EZPZ Apple Pie Filling and scatter them over the cream cheese layer. Drizzle glaze over apples. Top with remaining bread cubes.

5.            Beat together the remaining sugar, eggs, milk, cinnamon, and melted butter. Pour over the bread cubes.

6.            Refrigerate overnight to bake the next morning or cover well with tinfoil (or two-gallon freezer bag and freeze. Thaw completely to cook.

7.            Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes or until browned. Let sit for 5 minutes before cutting. Top with chopped nuts and/or syrup when serving.

Note: This recipe freezes very well. It is a great timesaver to make two of these at once, using one full jar of the EZPZ Apple Pie Filling. It is a great recipe for brunches, breakfast when you have houseguests, or a fun “breakfast-for-dinner” night. My kids L-O-V-E this recipe! 

(Submitted by Jen B.)