Cinnamon French Toast with Caramel Apples

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a 3-quart oblong baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Place 1/2 cup sugar in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar melts and begins to turn golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in butter until melted together. Fold in apple slices. If mixture hardens, keep stirring. It should dissolve again once apples have warmed.
3. When mixture and apples are well combined, gradually add maple syrup, cooking about 6 minutes or until apples are tender. Set mixture aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, beat together eggs, egg whites, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, until well mixed.
5. Cover bottom of prepared dish with apple mixture. Lay bread slices on top of the apple mixture. Carefully top with egg mixture.
6. Let sit for 15 minutes, allowing bread to soak up mixture. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Recipe reprinted with permission from Holly Clegg's Trim & Terrific Gulf Coast Favorites: Over 250 Easy Recipes from My Louisiana Kitchen, 2008
.