Stuffed French Toast Strata

1 (1-lb) loaf unsliced French bread      6 T butter or margarine, melted
1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese cubed                  ¼ c. maple syrup
8 eggs                                                1 recipe Apple Cider Syrup
2 ½ cu. Milk, light cream or half-
And half

Cut French bead loaf into cubes.  (You should have about 12 cups bread cubes).  Grease a 13x9x 2-inch baking dish.  In the prepared baking dish place half of the bread cubes.  Top with the cream cheese cubes and then with the remaining bread cubes.  In a blender or a mixing bowl with a rotary beater, mix together eggs, milk, melted butter or margarine and maple syrup until well combined.  Put egg mixture evenly over bread and cheese cubes.  Using a spatula, slightly press layers down to moisten.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.  Remove plastic wrap from baking dish.  Bake in a 325 degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until the center appears set and the edges are lightly golden, let stand about 10 minutes before serving.  Serve with the Apple Cider Syrup.  Makes 6 to 8 serving.

Apple Cider Syrup
½ c. sugar                                1 c. apple cider or apple juice
4 tsp cornstarch                        1 T. lemon juice
½ tsp ground cinnamon             2 T. butter or margarine

In a small saucepan stir together the sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon.  Then stir in the apple cider or juice and lemon juice.  Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly.  Then cook and stir for 2 minutes more.  Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the butter or margarine until melted.  Makes about 1 1/3 cups.