Apple French Toast w/Apple Syrup

Ingredients:
8 cups French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 tart apples, cored, peeled, chopped
1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c apple juice
2 t vanilla, divided
1/2 c English toffee bits
5 eggs
3/4 c milk

Apple syrup:
1/2 c sugar or maple syrup
2 T cornstarch
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
2 c apple juice
2 T lemon juice
5 T butter

Directions:
Place half the bread cubes in a greased 13x9" pan.
Top with apples. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugars, apple juice and 1 t vanilla until smooth.
Stir in toffee bits. Spread over apples. Top with remaining bread cubes.
In another large bowl, beat eggs, milk and remaining vanilla until well blended; pour over bread.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight or bake now.
If refrigerated, remove 30 minutes before baking.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve French toast with apple syrup. While baking French toast, prepare syrup.

Apple syrup: in a medium size saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, apple juice and lemon juice and heat to a boil, whisking constantly. Boil for one minute. Add butter. Serve over warm apple French toast. Serves 8.