French Toast Casserole with Berries

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 yesterday's loaf (450 g) of white bread
• 2.5 cups mixed berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
• 3 cups of milk
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cups heavy cream
• 2 tsp natural vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp natural almond extract
• 6 large eggs
• Powdered sugar, for dusting
• Warm maple syrup, for serving

Preparation:

1. Butter the inside of a 22x32 cm baking pan. Cut the bread into 2-2.5 cm thick slices. Place the bread in the prepared pan, overlapping it slightly. Scatter the berries over the bread, letting some fall to the bottom of the pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, granulated sugar, cream, vanilla and almond extracts, eggs, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until sugar dissolves.
3. Pour the mixture over the bread and berries, pressing gently to submerge the bread in the egg mixture. Melt the butter and drizzle it over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 175°C. Remove and discard the film.
5. Bake the French toast until golden brown and the cream is set in the center, 45-50 minutes. Cover the casserole with foil if it starts to brown too much.
6. Let rest for 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup.