Make Ahead Chocolate French Toast - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 loaf day-old French bread
250 ml milk chocolate chips or 250 ml cinnamon bark
5 eggs
300 ml milk
1 ml ground cinnamon
1 ml vanilla extract
maple syrup (optional)

Preparation

Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with veggy spray.
Cut the French bread into 6 slices, each, 1 1/2 inches thick.
Using a small, sharp knife, cut 2 inch long slits in one side of each bread slice, cutting 3/4 of the way through the bread, to create a pocket.
Spoon heaping 2 tablespoons of chips into the pocket of each bread slice, press to close.
Place filled slices into prepared baking pan.
Whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla in medium bowl.
Pour egg mixture evenly over bread, carefully turn pieces over, spooning mixture in pan over top bread.
Cover pan with plastic wrap, refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Bake uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Transfer toast to plates.
Serve with maple syrup if desired.