French Toast Apple-Maple Brunch Strata

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 medium apples, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4-1/3 cup sugar (or to taste)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup sour cream, divided
• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half, 10% cream (or use full-fat milk)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 French bread (use only half a loaf, cut into 1/2-inch slices, NOT cubes!)

Directions

1. 1

   Butter a 9-inch baking dish.

2. 2

   Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   Add in apples and saute until just softened (about 3 minutes) remove from heat.

4. 4

   Stir in the raisins, walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/2 cup sour cream.

5. 5

   In a medium bowl beat eggs, half and half, maple syrup and remaining 1/2 cup sour cream.

6. 6

   Layer HALF of the sliced bread in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

7. 7

   Spread the apple/sour cream mixture over the bread slices, then top with remaining bread slices.

8. 8

   Pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread.

9. 9

   Cover and refrigerate from 2-24 hours.

10. 10

    Set oven to 325 degrees.

11. 11

    Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until set and lightly browned.

12. 12

    Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.