Baked French Toast

Ingredients:

  • 6 large eggs

  • 2 cups milk

  • ⅓ cup heavy cream

  • ⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt

  • 10 slices day-old brioche (about ¾ inch thick)

  • 1 cup pecans (coarsely chopped or crushed)

Preparation:

  1. Beat eggs in a bowl. Whisk in milk, heavy cream, 1/3 cup sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and salt.

  2. Working in batches, dip 10 slices day-old brioche into batter to coat. Overlap brioche slices in a 9-by-13-inch ceramic or glass-baking dish. Pour remaining batter over top. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours.

  3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Top with pecans and sprinkle with 3 tablespoons sugar. Bake, covered with parchment-lined foil, for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake until top is golden brown and crunchy, 20 to 25 minutes more.

  4. Serve with syrup.