Caramel Apple French Toast Strata

* Note: The original recipe calls for cubed cream cheese, but I prefer to put my softened cream cheese into a zip top baggie and cut the tip off of one end, and squeeze it out over the bread to get a more even spread, as the cream cheese doesn’t melt as well. I also don’t always use the entire 8 oz. package of the cream cheese.

Place half the bread cubes into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. (I will occasionally add more bread cubes if it looks like there isn’t enough). Cover with cream cheese. Sprinkle with apple slices (you can do one apple over half of the bread instead of making separate batches, if you have some who don’t like apples). Top with remaining bread cubes and 1/2 to 1 cup almonds (I prefer the smaller amount).

Beat eggs, milk and cinnamon; pour over bread mixture evenly (if you’re making this dish ahead of time, cover and refrigerate the dish overnight).

Make syrup by combining butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour over the top of the mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with syrup.