Baked Apple French Toast

This is a favorite to have on Christmas morning. I make it up the day before and just have to pop it in the oven when we get up. Delicious!!!

· 20 slices French bread (1 inch thick)
· 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
· 8 eggs
· 2 cups milk
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
· TOPPING:
· 1 cup packed brown sugar
· 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
· 1 cup chopped pecans

Arrange 10 slices of bread in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Spread with pie filling; top with remaining bread. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Meanwhile, place brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over French toast.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Yield: 10 servings

***I've never fit 10 slices of bread in the pan, but it depends on the diameter of the bread.