Cinnamon Pain Perdu

I made this for my in-laws for brunch this morning, and it was a big hit. Could easily pass for a dessert, also.

Cinnamon Pain Perdu
1 loaf Greenlee's Best Cinnamon Bread
6 eggs
1 c 1% milk*
½ c half and half*
1 ½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp Grand Marnier
2 Tbsp sliced almonds
Nonstick cooking spray

For serving:
2 ½ c sliced strawberries
¼ c powdered sugar

* Or just use 1 ½ cups whole milk

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray one large baking dish (or two small/medium baking dishes) with cooking spray. Layer in the slices of bread, overlapping slightly. In a bowl or very large measuring cup, combine the eggs, milk, half and half, salt, vanilla and Grand Marnier. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and let it soak up for about 5-10 minutes (press down on the bread a little to make sure every bit of it soaks up some of the custard). Top with sliced almonds, and bake for 40 minutes, or until the pain perdu is slightly puffed and golden brown, and there are no soggy bits.

Cut into 10 pieces, and serve each slice with a little sifted powdered sugar and some sliced strawberries.