Caramel Apple Strata-So Good, Oh Yeah!

     Sunday my dad and I had a little family "party" for my sister's 50th birthday. We had appetizers and desserts at my house, and we went out for dinner. I'll share more of the party later this week. Today I'm going to show you one of the desserts I made.

     How many of you have recipes like this? I jotted this from a magazine (on a paper napkin) while at the hospital with my niece a few weeks ago. I don't know what magazine, so I can't credit the recipe. If anyone finds it, let me know.

Caramel Apple Strata

Ingredients:

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter cubed

1/4 cup corn syrup

3 large apples, peeled and chopped

2 T. lemon juice

1 T. sugar

1 tsp. apple pie spice

1 loaf day old cinnamon bread

1/2 cup chopped pecans

10 eggs

1 cup 2 percent milk

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened, and set aside. (I found 2 minutes was a bit too long, my sauce was almost candy-next time I will remove it from the heat a little sooner)

In a small bowl combine apples, lemon juice, sugar and apple pie spice.

In a greased 9 x 13 pan arrange 1/2 the bread slices.

Spoon the apple mixture on top of the

bread and drizzle with half of the caramel sauce.

Top with pecans.

Top with a second layer of bread.

     In large bowl combine eggs, milk, salt and vanilla. Pour over top of casserole, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Cover and refrigerate remaining caramel sauce. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking the next day. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving. Mine set out of the oven while we went to dinner. Heat remaining caramel sauce and drizzle over the strata. Cut into squares and serve alone or with a good quality vanilla ice cream.

My family loved this one!

This could also be served for brunch.