An Easy Holiday Morning Treat. Serves 8 (Assemble the evening before, refrigerate; then bake in the morning.)

1 8 oz package cream cheese
1 dozen eggs
1 cube butter
3 cups Half and Half
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Dry, cubed bread (about 1 loaf any kind)
Cinnamon
2 Buttered 9” x 11” baking dishes

Microwave cream cheese, butter, and maple syrup until soft, but not hot (about 30 seconds), then set aside.

Fill both baking dishes 2/3rds full with cubed, dry bread.

Mix in a bowl: eggs, Half and Half, and vanilla. Spoon cheese mixture evenly over bread in dishes. Gently poor egg mixture over bread. Dust with Cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate.

In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees, then bake for about 40 minutes, until bread is puffy and browned and egg mixture has solidified. Serve warm with ham slices and fresh fruit.