Christmas Casserole

• 1 loaf small dense white bread
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped onion
• 1 lb grated cheddar cheese
• 8 eggs
• 1 quart milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• pepper
• optional additions
• mushroom
• bell pepper
• ham

1. Cut crusts off loaf of bread.
2. Cut bread into half inch cubes.
3. Note: I have used a Pepperidge Farms type loaf or have made my own bread such as an oatmeal white bread.
4. Melt butter in a bowl and toss bread cubes to coat.
5. Grease a 9" x 13" glass casserole dish.
6. Layer bread cubes, grated cheese, mushrooms, ham, etc. in dish.
7. Combine the eggs, milk salt and pepper and beat.
8. Pour over casserole.
9. Cover with foil and let set overnight in the refrigerator so bread absorbs some of the egg mixture.
10. To bake, place casserole in larger pan with 1 inch hot water.
11. Bake, at 375 degrees (350 convection) for 1 1/2 hours or until silver knife inserted in center comes out clean. I start the baking with the foil on, then uncover for the last half hour.
12. Casserole can be cooked without the water bath, but the sides will be a little crustier. It also bakes faster this way.

bread, butter, onion, cheddar cheese, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, additions, mushroom, bell pepper, ham

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/christmas-casserole-151965 (may not work)