Stuffed French Toast Casserole

Also from my (library's) new favorite cookbook Bake Until Bubbly, all about casseroles. Here is a nice break-away from cereal and pancakes every other morning.

8 Stale or fresh white loaf bread, thick
1/2 lb. Cream cheese
1 Granny Smith apple, large
6 Eggs, large
1 cup Whole milk
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon, ground
3 Tbsp. Confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Maple or fruit syrup (for drizzling)

Remove crusts from bread and cube. Cube cream cheese. Peel, core and chop apple. Cover the bottom of an ungreased 8x3½ -deep round soufflé dish with half of the bread cubes. Scatter the cream cheese cubes evenly over the bread. Sprinkle the chopped apple over the cream cheese. Cover with remaining bread cubes.

In a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and cinnamon until well blended. Pour this egg mixture over the bread.

Bake at 375º until the eggs are set and the apples are slightly crunchy, about 35 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar, if desired, and serve with the syrup of your choice.