Baked Cherry French Toast Casserole Recipe

Ingredients (22)

• For the casserole:
• Butter (for the baking dish)
• 6 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup honey
• Grated zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1-pound loaf good quality, sturdy bread (such as French Pullman, sourdough, or ciabatta), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 cups (8 ounces) frozen pitted dark cherries, cut in half
• Topping:
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• For the cherry sauce:
• 2 cups (8 ounces) frozen pitted dark cherries (left whole)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water