WDW Recipe Challenge: French Toast Loaf

Sunday is almost over, and I've spent the better part of today either eating (mmm brunch!) or making stuff to eat. And this weekend I tackled this month's winner of the WDW Recipe Challenge, the french toast loaf from the Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom. While I confess I've never had the real thing, this recipe was totally easy to make, and the result is pretty awesome. This loaf would make a great gift for coworkers/the mailman/other people you want to give gifts to without having to buy anything. On with the cooking!

Ingredients:
12 slices day-old white bread (preferably homestyle)
8 oz. butter (chilled and sliced)

Brown sugar batch:
9 oz, light brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Batter:
10 oz. heavy cream
4 large eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1. First up: make the batter. Just mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.



2. Make the brown sugar batch. Also simple: mix together and set aside. Resist temptation to eat with fingers, though in this picture it looks like taco meat. Although let's be honest, I eat that with my fingers too.



3. Liberally spray a loaf pan with Pam or other vegetable spray. Layer three slices day old bread on bottom of pan. Sprinkle 1/3 brown sugar mixture on top of bread, then layer 1/3 of the butter. Repeat these steps two more times.



4. Top off with three more slices of bread. Press down with hand to compact bread into loaf pan.



MMM... smushy. This is what it should look like from the side:



5. Slowly pour the batter over top of loaf, covering completely. This may take a little time, to allow it to fully absorb into bread and flow into spaces at bottom. (Take your time here and pour into corners. Lift bread at corners a little to get into bottom quicker if you want.)



MMM ... soupy. Now check out the side view:



6. Place loaf pan on some paper towel in case of overflow. Cover top of loaf with parchment paper and wrap top tightly with aluminum foil. Place in refrigerator and allow to sit overnight.



Good night bread. You just chill out there and I'll see you in the morning.


(Note: Please do not judge this photo as indicative of the contents of my fridge. The Pepsi is leftover from a party and that Red Bull has probably been in there since my senior year of college.)



7. Heat oven to 325º F. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until internal temperature in center of loaf is 160 degrees. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Place a plate on top of loaf pan and invert to remove from pan.



Enjoy.