Jean'S Stuffed French Toast Strata - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb loaf French bread, unsliced, cubed
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
8 eggs
2 1/2 2 1/2 cups light cream or 2 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
6 teaspoons butter, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
APPLE CIDER SYRUP (use 1 cup)
1/2 cup sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup apple cider or 1 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter (I like Cabot's)

Preparation

Grease a 13 x 9 pan.
Cut bread into cubes (you should end up with about 12 cups).
Place half bread cubes in pan.
Top with cream cheese cubes.
Top with remaining bread cubes.
Beat together eggs, milk, melted butter, and maple syrup.
Pour egg mixture evenly over bread cubes and cream cheese.
Slightly press down with spatula to moisten.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.
When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and bake in oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 45 minutes or until center appears set and edges are lightly golden.
Top with Apple Cider Syrup. Recipe is posted.
Let stand about 10 minutes before serving.