Overnight Banana French Toast

OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST

1 loaf French or Texas toast bread
5 eggs
3/4 c. milk
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 (20 oz.) bag frozen whole strawberries
4 ripe-sliced bananas
1 c. sugar
1 tbsp. apple pie spice or 1 tsp. each cinnamon & nutmeg

Combine eggs, milk, baking powder and vanilla in mixing bowl. Place sliced bread (about 8 slices) into greased baking dish. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, combine strawberries, bananas, sugar and spices. Put into greased baking dish and top with prepared bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 450 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Found at Cooks.com. I'd do without the Strawberries.

But I think I like this one found at Good Housekeeping better, because you slice the fruit ahead of time, too:



Ingredients
U.S. Metric Conversion chart

* 6 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine
* 1 1/2 cup(s) packed brown sugar
* 5 large ripe bananas, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices
* 1 (12-ounce) long loaf French or Italian bread, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices
* 6 large eggs
* 2 cup(s) milk
* 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
* 1/2 cup(s) sliced almonds or coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
*

Directions

1. In microwave-safe small bowl, heat butter in microwave oven on High 1 minute or until melted. Stir sugar into butter until moistened. With fingertips, press sugar mixture onto bottom of 13-inch by 9-inch glass baking dish. (It's okay if mixture does not cover bottom.) Spread fresh or dried fruit over sugar mixture; top with bread slices, cut sides down.
2. In medium bowl, with whisk, beat eggs; whisk in milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Slowly pour milk mixture over bread; press bread down to absorb egg mixture. Sprinkle with nuts. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap from baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 45 to 50 minutes or until bread is golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Note: If you don't have bananas, substitute 3 to 4 very ripe pears or peaches (about 1 1/2 pounds), sliced; or 1 cup dried cherries, cranberries, or raisins