Crème Brulee French Toast Casserole

Recipe courtesy of TiredAn
I got this recipe from a friend, so yummy.  She adapts it, using soy coffee creamer because her daughter is allergic to dairy.

Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

6 slices 1 inch thick day old challah bread

5 large eggs

1 ½ cups half and half (or soy coffee creamer)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon grand marnier or orange liqueur

¼ teaspoon salt

Combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat stirring constantly until melted and smooth.  Pour into 13x9 baking dish.  Trim crusts from bread and arrange in 1 layer in baking dish.  Whisk eggs, half & half, vanilla, grand marnier and salt in large mixing bowl.  Pour evenly over bread.  Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.  Remove from refrigerator and let come to room temperature (30-60 minutes).  Preheat oven to 350 and bake uncovered 30-45 minutes until puffed and edges are light golden brown.