2 cups plain croutons~ I use freshly toasted bread cubed (6 slices)
6 eggs
3 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups of natural shredded cheddar cheese
10 slices of bacon (cooked crisp)
(If you wish, you may subsitute cooked sausage for the bacon)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels, and crumble.  In a separate mixing bowl beat eggs until frothy. Add milk and blend well.  Mix in dry seasonings.  Crumble in shredded cheese and stir well.

Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.  Distribute croutons evenly in bottom of casserole dish.  Pour egg mixture over the croutons.  Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the top.

Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes or until eggs are set.

Serving Suggestions: Serve at once with fresh fruit and/or coffee, juice, and toasted English Muffins with your favorite homemade jelly or preserves.

Approximately 6-8 Servings

Additional Tips:

This casserole can be made ahead, or the night before, and put in the oven when you start opening Christmas Gifts.  By the time you are done opening presents, your
Christmas Breakfast is Ready!

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar.1 cup butter or margarine~softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups Gold Medal baking flour.1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar.Red or Green Granulated Sugar
Decorators Frosting
Decorator Sprinkles

Cream together powdered sugar, margarine, egg, vanilla, and almond extract with blender until smooth. Gradually mix in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough into halves. Roll each half 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured cloth covered board or surface with rolling pin.  Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Sprinkle shaped dough with granulated sugar and place on cookie sheet.  Bake until edges are just lightly browned, 7-8 minutes. Do not overbake!

Approximately 5 dozen-2 inch cookies!

Easier Tip: This recipe is great for using in a cookie press also, and you eliminate the need for rolling out the dough.  The cookies are a little chewier.

Additional Decorating Tip: If you really want to be creative, eliminate the granulated sugar, and after the cookies have cooled, decorate with Decorators Icing in different colors and sprinkle with colored sprinkles, sugar, or M&M's!

8 slices bread
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup of raisins
6 eggs slightly beaten
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/8 teaspoon of salt
5 cups of milk scalded

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Toast bread slices lightly. Spread slices with margarine, and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Cut each slice into 4 pieces.

Arrange pieces sugared sides up in buttered 3 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with raisins.

Mix eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla and salt. Slowly stir in milk. Pour over arranged bread pieces.

Place casserole dish, in square pan, on cookie sheet,(easier to move) on middle oven rack. Pour very hot water (1 inch deep) into pan surrounding casserole dish.

Bake until knife inserted halfway between center and edge of casserole comes out clean, 65-70 minutes. Remove casserole from hot water. Serve warm or cooled.

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Apple Bread Pudding Variation

Substitute 2 cups of sliced fresh apples for the raisins, and follow remaining directions accordingly. Delicious!

Approximately 12-16 servings

Hint~To Make For Smaller Parties, just use half the amounts listed of all of the ingredients of the recipe. Makes 6-8 servings.

I Only Make This Recipe Once a Year,
So it is very much appreciated when the Holidays finally roll around.
It is one of My Daughters' Favorite Holiday Dishes! ~Tauna