Maple Cheddar French Toast Bake

Instructions

1. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce on the bottom of a greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish; top with half of the bread. Layer with the cheddar, 1/2 cup pecans, remaining caramel sauce and bread.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a large bowl; pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
3. Remove French toast from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Heat oven to 350°F.
4. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake for 18-22 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and a thermometer inserted into bread mixture reads 160°F. Serve with maple syrup.