French Toast Bake

8 eggs
1 ½ cups half-and-half
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
10 to 12 slices bread, 1 inch thick
Topping: ½ cup butter (1 stick)
2/3 cup maple syrup
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
2 cups chopped pecans

Generously butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Mix eggs, half-and-half, maple syrup and sugar in a bowl. Place bread slices in the casserole dish and cover with the egg mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and soak overnight in refrigerator. For topping, melt butter in a sauce pan. Add sugar and maple syrup and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in pecans. Pour over bread and bake 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.