Oven Baked French Toast with Apples

1/2 c. butter, melted
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 t. apple pie spice, optional
1 T. cinnamon
12 slices sandwich bread
8 eggs
3/4 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
pinch salt
1-2 small apples, sliced thin, optional*
1/2 c. raisins

Coat 9x13 dish with butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Combine milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Dip each piece of bread in mixture and place one layer on top of brown sugar mixture. (May be covered and placed in refrigerator overnight, but not necessary.) Place apple slices and raisins on top of first layer of bread. Add another layer of bread. Add additional apple slices and raisins if desired. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Cool a few minutes, then invert onto serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup, fresh fruit, yogurt, bacon, ham, or sausage balls.

*thinly sliced apples and raisins can be placed on top of brown sugar mixture before bread is added, if desired.
**add fruit topping and whipped cream after baking for a yummy dessert.
***spread pie filling, any flavor, between layers before baking.
****Place chocolate chips and sliced bananas between layers of bread.

1st picture is assembled casserole, ready for the oven. 2nd picture is right out of oven and inverted onto serving platter (cutting board). 3rd picture is inside casserole with side serving of ham.