Apple Toffee French Toast with Apple Sauce -- Can you say "YUM!"

French Toast:

• 8 cups French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 3 tart apples, peeled, chopped
• 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup  brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup Apple Juice
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla, divided
• ½ cup English toffee bits
• 5 eggs

Apple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 TBSP cornstarch
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 2 cups* Tree Top Apple Juice
• 2 TBSP lemon juice
• 5 TBSP butter

* For thicker syrup, try reducing Apple Juice to 1 cup.

Created by Nadine M. of Mt. Healthy, OH - Tree Tops winner in the sweet category

Directions: 

Place half the bread cubes in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan; top with apples. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugars, Tree Top apple juice and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth; stir in toffee bits. Spread over apples. Top with remaining bread cubes.

In another large bowl, beat the eggs, milk and vanilla until well blended; pour over bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

While baking French toast prepare syrup.
Apple Syrup:
In a medium size saucepan whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, Tree Top apple juice and lemon juice; heat to a boil; whisk constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Add butter. Serve over warm Apple Toffee French toast to 8 VERY lucky people.

Serving Suggestions:

Spoon warm syrup over French toast. For real decadence, dollop a spoonful of whipped cream on top.