Apple Pie Baked French Toast

I've made this with blueberries, peaches, and now I've added a fall spin! In between layers of cubed french bread is a layer of cream cheese and apple pie filling! Even better I've topped it with Apple Cider Syrup. Yum! I also mixed some cinnamon with powdered sugar to sift over the top too. Amazing fall breakfast and would be perfect to wow your Thanksgiving guests.

 Apple Pie Baked French Toast
1 loaf french bread (day old bakery bread works great)
1 21oz can or jar of apple pie filling
8 oz cream cheese
4 TBSPs butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups half and half
10 eggs
Powdered sugar
Cinnamon (optional)
Apple Cider Syrup (optional) or whatever you want on top

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 in baking dish with non stick spray.
2. Cube bread and layer half in prepared dish.
3. Scoop apples out of can and unto cutting board (save the gooey glaze left in the can). Roughly chop them and spread the apples in a layer on top of the bread cubes.
4. Cut the cream cheese into small pieces and drop them on evenly across the apples. Cover with remaining bread cubes.
5. Pour melted butter over the top of the bread cubes.
6. Whisk together half and half, leftover apple glaze from the can, and eggs. Pour over the top of the bread as evenly as possible. Try to cover all the bread. Press down with spatula so that the liquid is absorbed by the bread.
7. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
8. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45-50 min. If it starts to get too brown, lay a sheet of foil on top until it has finished baking. Remove from oven and sift powered sugar over top and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Cut into 8-12 servings. Serve with Apple Cider Syrup.

Note: If you serve immediately, the pieces won't stay in a formed square. They'll break apart as you dish it up. For uniform looking pieces let cool for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.