Make-Ahead French Toast With Strawberry Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 loaf challah (16-ounce loaf) or 1 loaf French bread, cubed (16-ounce loaf)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into pieces
6 large eggs
4 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 (10 ounce) jar strawberry preserves

Preparation

Arrange half of the challah bread (or French bread) in a lightly greased 13-x9-inch pan. Sprinkle with cheese pieces, and top with remaining bread.
Whisk together eggs and next 3 ingredients; pour over bread mixture, pressing bread cubes to absorb egg mixture. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 more minutes.
Heat sliced strawberries and strawberry preserves in a saucepan over low heat, and serve over toast.