Easy Challah French Toast Casserole

• 1 pound day-old challah
• 8 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 7/8 cups whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon orange zest optional
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• powdered sugar for dusting
• maple syrup for serving

1. Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, orange zest, and salt until smooth. Add to bread cubes, and fold into mixture with a rubber spatula.
4. Bake French toast for 45-50 minutes on the middle rack of oven until French toast is golden-brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of a piece comes out clean.
5. Check to see that French toast is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
6. Allow French toast to cool in dish for at least 10 minutes. Prior to serving, plate toast (cut as desired), sift powdered sugar over the top, and drizzle with maple syrup. Refrigerate leftovers for 2-3 days.

eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest optional, salt, powdered sugar, maple syrup

Taken from www.yummly.com/recipe/Easy-Challah-French-Toast-Casserole-2436596 (may not work)