French Toast Strata

1 1-pound loaf of french bread
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
8 eggs
2 1/2 cups half and half (or milk or heavy cream)
6 Tbsp. margarine, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup

Cider Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
4 tsp. corn starch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup apple cider or juice
1 Tbsp. lemmon juice
2 Tbsp. margarine

Cube bread. Grease a 3-quart baking dish. Place 1/2 bread cubes in the dish. 
Top with cream cheese and remaining bread. 
Combine eggs, milk, butter and syrup. Pour over bread. 
Press layers down to moisten. Refrigerate 2-24 hours covered with plastic wrap. 
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes at 325 deg. Baking up to 2 hours is fine,
just cover with foil after the first 45 minutes.

For syrup: 
Combine solids in a sauce pan. Add liquids. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in margarine.