Tasty morning treats

Mummymac is hosting a festival of delicious breakfast/brunch treats. I love brunch and breakfast, especially if I don't have to cook it. This is a recipe I really like, especially at Christmas time, because you can prepare it ahead of time:

French Toast Casserole

1 loaf (10 oz) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (10 cups)
8 eggs
3 cups milk
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Topping:
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, cubed
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Maple syrup (optional)

Place bread cubes in a greased 13x9 in baking dish. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt if desired. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Dot with butter or margarine. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinle over the top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the centre comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with syrup if desired.