Apple Baked French Toast

1 loaf French baguette bread (unsliced)
8 large eggs
1 cup sugar, divided
3 1/2 cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
6 to 8 medium Granny Smith apples
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespons butter
Warm maple syrup
Whipped cream

Slice bread into 1 1/2 inch thick slices. Arrange bread slices tightly together in a lightly greased 13X9 baking dish. Beat eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, milk, and vanilla with a wire whisk until blended. Pour half of egg mixture over bread.
Peel, core, and slice enough apples to measure about 8 1/2 cups. Place sliced apples over bread to cover. Pour remaining egg mixture over apples. Combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and sprinkle over apples. Dot with butter. Cover and chill overnight or at least 8 hours.
Bake uncovered at 350' for 1 hour. Remove from oven, and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares, and serve warm with maple syrup, topped with whipped cream."

This is a recipe that I make for my family every year on Christmas. I start it in the afternoon on Christmas Eve by cutting up the apples then finish it after I put all the presents under the tree. On Christmas morning all I have to do is pop it into the oven when we wake up and when we are done opening presents its ready!