Baked French Toast Casserole

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1 loaf French bread - cut into 1/2" thick slices

2 cups whole milk

2 cups Half & Half

8 large eggs

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - part fresh ground if possible

Use 1 tablespoon of butter to butter a 9x13" baking dish.  Layer bread in the bottom of the buttered baking dish and set aside. In a large bowl mix all other ingredients together well. Then pour the milk mixture over the layered bread, cover with plastic wrap, and chill overnight. In the morning while the oven is pre-heating to 325 degrees make the topping.

Topping:

12 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons light Karo corn syrup

1 1/3 cups brown sugar

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

In a saucepan melt butter with the Karo syrup and brown sugar, stir in pecans, mixing well, and then drizzle the topping over the chilled French bread mixture. Bake for 60 minutes and serve.

No Syrup is needed!