Baked Butter Pecan French Toast | Paperny Family JCC

Ingredients

• ½ cup, plus 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• ¼ cup real maple syrup
• 7 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 1½ cups roughly chopped pecans
• 8 large eggs, beaten
• 2½ cups whole milk
• 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 loaf challah bread, sliced into thick slices
• whipped cream, for serving (optional)