Baked  French Toast With Buttermilk Syrup

Make it the night before and pop it in the oven when you get up in the morning.

•1 cup brown sugar

•1/2 cup butter, melted

•1 teaspoon cinnamon (1st amount)

•3 tart apples, cored and thinly sliced (it's fine to leave the apples unpeeled)

•1/2 cup dried cranberries

•1 loaf French Bread cut into 1 inch thick slices

•6 large eggs

•1 1/2 cups milk

•2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

•1 1 /2 teaspoons cinnamon (2nd amount)

1.Combine brown sugar, melted butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and spread evenly over the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2.Distribute sliced apples and cranberries over the sugar and butter.

3.Arrange slices of bread over the fruit.

4.Beat eggs together with milk, vanilla and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon until well blended.

5.Pour egg mixture evenly over bread, being sure all bread is soaked.

6.Cover and refrigerate 4 to 24 hours.

7.Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes.

8.Uncover and bake an additional 5-7 minutes.

9.Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

10.Serve with Buttermilk Syrup. ( recipe follows)

Buttermilk Syrup

•1 1/4 cup sugar

•3/4 cup buttermilk

•1/2 cup butter

•2 tablespoons white corn syrup (the clear kind)

•1 teaspoon baking soda

•2 teaspoons vanilla

1.Place all ingredients except vanilla in a large saucepan.

2.Bring to a boil over low heat and boil for about 7 minutes. Be careful as this syrup will boil over quickly and make a real mess.

3.Remove from heat and add vanilla.