Apple Raisin French Toast Soufle

This sounds fancy..it isn't.  It also sounds delicious...it is!

·        1 cup brown sugar

·        3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

·        ½ cup melted butter

·        6-8 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

·        ½ cup raisins

·        1 French bread, or very firm egg bread

·        8 eggs

·        4 cups half and half or milk

·        1 Tablespoon vanilla

·        pinch of nutmeg

1. Grease a 15x11 baking pan. In a large bowl mix ½ cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and melted butter.  Stir in the apples and raisins, and coat evenly.

2. Slice bread into thick slices and arrange in the bottom of the baking dish. Make sure they are close together.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, ½ cup sugar, half and half, and vanilla. Add the 2 tsps of cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour half of this mixture over the bread.

4. Place sliced apples over the bread. Pour rest of the half and half mixture over the apple slices.

5. Cover tightly and refrigerate over night.

6. Next day, preheat oven to 350. Place dish, covered, in the oven for 40 minutes. Uncover, and bake another 20 minutes.

7. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving with maple syrup.