Berry French Toast Bake

This recipe is similar to one I made for Christmas Eve breakfast, but I left out the cream cheese, added frozen berries and cubed the bread instead of slicing it.  I think the cubing worked much better, but the cream cheese would be a tasty addition to this recipe.

Berry French Toast Bake

6 eggs
2 cups milk (I use 1%)
3/4 cup maple syrup, plus extra for serving
1 loaf of day-old challah or sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups (12 ounces) fresh or frozen, thawed, and drained berries
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, plus 1 tablespoon
1 tablespoon lemon zest

1. Cube bread and place in a greased 9x13 baking pan. 
2. Mix eggs, milk, maple syrup and 2 teaspoons cinnamon together and pour over the bread mixture.  Use a large spoon to turn the cubes to make sure all sides are coated.
3. Mix the berries and lemon zest and pour over pan, mixing them in just slightly.

4. Cover pan and let sit overnight.
5. The next morning preheat the over to 350 and give the cubes a final stir.
6.  Mix brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and nutmeg together.  Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the cubes.
7. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until golden brown and set.
8. Enjoy!