Baked French Toast Sticks

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 8 slices Texas toast bread
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted, plus more for serving if desired
• Maple syrup, for serving

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cover an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl, then put it aside. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla and salt with some energy until the mixture is fully combined.
3. Slice each piece of bread into three even sticks; stacking a few slices makes the cutting go faster. Dip each bread piece into the egg mixture, working with 2 sticks at a time if you like, then lift them out and let the extra drip off. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, close together but with a little room between each one.
4. With a basting brush, coat the tops of the French toast sticks lightly with 1 Tbsp of the melted butter. Scatter half of the cinnamon sugar evenly over the tops.
5. Bake for 13 minutes. Take the pan out of the oven, turn each stick over, then brush the tops with the remaining 1 Tbsp melted butter and sprinkle on the remaining cinnamon sugar. Put the pan back in the oven and bake until the sticks are cooked through, about 13 – 18 minutes more. Let them cool for a few minutes. If desired, brush with a little more melted butter and serve warm with maple syrup for dipping.