Apple Butter French Toast on the Skillet

Steps

• 1

  Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• 2

  Unroll French loaves onto baking sheet. Cut 4 to 5 half-inch-deep slits in the top of each loaf.
• 3

  Bake loaves 30 minutes until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes before slicing.
• 4

  Melt butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Remove from heat; sprinkle brown sugar in the skillet.

  
• 5

  Slice French loaves into 1-inch slices. Spread a generous tablespoon of apple butter onto a slice; top with another slice of bread to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining slices.
• 6

  Arrange sandwiches slices of bread evenly on top of butter-brown sugar mixture in skillet.
• 7

  In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Pour batter over bread in skillet. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

  
• 8

  Bake (with oven still on at 350°F) for 30 to 40 minutes until egg mixture is baked through and tops of bread slices are a deep golden brown.

  
• 9

  Serve with powdered sugar and maple syrup for topping, if desired.
• 10

  Adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everythings Overnight French Toast recipe.