Apple Toffee French Toast with Apple Syrup

8 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tart apples, peeled and chopped
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c apple juice
2 t vanilla, divided
1/2 c English toffee bits
5 eggs
3/4 c milk

Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13 pan; top with apples.  Beat cream cheese, sugars, apples juice and 1 t vanilla until smooth; stir in toffee bits.  Spread over apples.  Top with remaining bread cubes.

In another bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and 1 t vanilla; pour over bread.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the frig 30 minutes before baking.  Bake incovered at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.

While this is baking, prepare the syrup.

1 c sugar
2 Tbs cornstarch
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
2 c apple juice
2 Tbs lemon juice
5 Tbs butter

Whisk everything except butter together and heat to a boil, whisking constantly.  Boil for 1 minute, then stir in butter. 

Serve over French toast.

(November 2010  The Costco Connection)

This is dang fine!!