Sister Howes French Toast Casserole

150 grams soft butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 loaf of sourdough, brioche, or challah bread
8 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Praline Topping:
125 grams butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine softened butter and sugar in a bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan.  Slice bread into 1inch thick slices and arrange in the baking dish in 2 rows overlapping the slices.  In a large bowl, combine eggs, half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon and mix until well blended.  Pour over the bread slices making sure all are covered evenly with the milk- egg mix.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.  The next day, make praline topping by combining all the ingredients.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread/egg mix and bake for 45 minutes until puffy and lightly golden.  Serve with fruit.