French Toast Casserole Easy Baked Bread Pudding

This is a recipe some call bread pudding,
it's a good baked french toast casserole.

Ingredients:
1 loaf (10 ounces) french bread, 1-inch cubes
8 eggs
3 cups milk
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt, optional
For the Topping:
2 tablespoons butter, cubed
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
maple syrup, optional

Directions:
Place bread cubes in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt if desired. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Dot with butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the top.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees F. for 45-50 minutes
or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with syrup if desired.