Apple-cinnamon French Toast Strata

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
2 hour, 50 minutes
Servings
8
Ingredients:
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 12 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 (15- to 16-ounce) French bread loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup roughly chopped Braeburn apples (about 1 medium)
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
  • Powdered sugar
  • Pure maple syrup
    DIRECTIONS:
  1. Line a 9-inch springform pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, lining all the way to the edge of the pan. Lightly grease bottom and sides of foil with cooking spray.
  2. Whisk together the cream cheese and maple syrup in a large bowl until combined; whisk in the vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Whisk in eggs until combined; whisk in the milk. Add the bread cubes; stir to coat. Stir in apple and pecans, and let stand at least 30 minutes.
  3. Heat a camping stove to medium-low (about 300° to 325° F), or fit a grilling grate over the direct heat of partially glowing embers. Cut 6 (18-inch) squares of foil; crumple each foil square into a 1 1/2- to 2-inch ball. Arrange foil balls on bottom of a 7 1/2- quart cast-iron Dutch oven; cover with lid. Preheat on the camping stove or grilling grate directly over the heat source for 10 minutes.
  4. Pour the bread cube mixture into the prepared springform pan. Place the springform pan on top of the foil balls in the preheated Dutch oven. Coat a large sheet of foil with cooking spray, and place over the top of the Dutch oven, coated side down. Press the foil around the top edge to tightly seal, and cover with the lid. Bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 2 hours. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove the sides on the pan; remove the foil from the sides of the strata. Cut into wedges; lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve with maple syrup.