Thanks for responding. I found a recipe that is the same as I got from this site but it has drunken strawberries for a topping. Drunken Strawberries 1 qt. strawberries, hulled and sliced 1/4-inch thick (lengthwise) 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup Grand Marnier or Cointreau Combine strawberries, sugar and Grand Marnier in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours up to 24 hours.

I use Julia's recipe for the most part, with my own changes (I use red wine, vermouth and brandy and part rich beef broth that is reduced by half), but I still deeply caramelize the onions. I have her book "The Way to Cook" and the recipe in there is a little different than the one Beth posted from her earlier book. Last time I made it, several months ago, the onions took almost two hours to caramelize to a walnut brown. I can post the recipe but it's not much different than others here. Ina Gartens French Onion is also excellent, one of the few I've seen that uses enough alcohol. Barefoot Contessa french onion Soup 2 1/2 lbs yellow onions, halved, and sliced 1/4-inch thick ( 8 cups) 1/4 lb unsalted butter 1 bay leaves 1/2 cup medium-dry sherry 1/2 cup brandy or 1/2 cup cognac 1 1/2 cups good dry white wine 4 cups beef stock 4 cups veal stock ( or just double up on the beef stock) 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper freshly grated parmesan cheese ( or a cheese of your choice) Directions In a large stockpot on medium-high heat, saute the onions with the butter and bay leaf for 20 minutes, until the onions turn a rich golden brown color. Deglaze the pan with the sherry and brandy and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the white wine and simmer uncovered for 15 more minutes. Add the beef and veal stocks plus salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, taste for salt and pepper, and serve hot with grated Parmesan.

1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon table salt 1 cup whole milk 4 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 8 (1-inch thick) slices Challah bread 1 teaspoon butter Confectioners sugar for garnish In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa, instant espresso powder, baking powder and salt. Blend well so no cocoa lumps remain. Pour in about half of the milk and whisk until the mixture is a lump-free paste. Add the remaining milk, eggs and vanilla; whisk until well blended. Polk holes in the bread slices with a skewer (or fork) and dip into chocolate mixture; lay in a single on a jelly roll pan. Pour remaining chocolate mixture over bread and let soak, turning occasionally until all the batter is absorbed, about 10 minutes (or over night). Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the butter to melt then add the bread slices in a single layer. Cook until they look browned and lightly crisp, 4 or 5 minutes (reduce the temperature if the bread is browning too fast. Flip and continue to cook until lightly puffed in the center, another 4 or 5 minutes. Serve immediately dusted with confectioners sugar and serve with fresh fruit or maple syrup. *Inspired by Chocolate French Toast from Fine Cooking magazine. Segments of 1 large orange 2/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice 6 large eggs 1/3 cup milk Zest of 2 large oranges 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (Grand Mariner) 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 pound loaf French bread; cut into 1-inch slices Put orange segments and orange juice in blender; process on high 1 minute. Add eggs and liquefy. Add milk, zest, sugar, liquor, vanilla and salt; process 1 minute. Place bread in a shallow dish. Pour egg mixture over all and let stand overnight in refrigerator. Heat griddle to 250° or 300°. Add 3 tablespoons butter and cook bread until golden and cooked through. Cooking at low temperature so the center will be fully cooked and not soggy. Serve hot with warm syrup. **I have made this without setting over night. Just leave on counter about 30 minutes before cooking. 1 loaf Challah (or French) bread 8 large eggs 2 cups half & half 2 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick cold butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Maple syrup, optional Slice bread into 3/4-inch slices and arrange in a generously buttered 9X13-inch baking dish in two overlapping rows. In a large bowl, beat eggs using a fork and add half & half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt; blend well. Dip each piece of bread into egg mixture for about 20 seconds and place back in the baking dish. After all slices have been soaked and replaced in dish, pour remaining egg mixture over all. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Prepare the topping by placing the butter, brown sugar, pecans, corn syrup and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a food processor and pulse just until mixture crumbles. (Or combine in a bowl using your hands.) Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, preheat oven to 350°. Sprinkle the topping over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. If desired serve with maple syrup. *Inspired by Baked French Toast Casserole by Paula Deen. And there is always David's and Woodies . Marilyn

I think this is a good idea! The fresh pancakes with the pancake smell and all. And you won't be trying something new but not exactly as stated for his birthday. That's inviting all kinds of trouble! Overnight French Toast is basically bread pudding made from slices rather than torn bits. It requires a hardier and much drier bread than is usually best for French toast or bread pudding. Brioche or challah will turn to mush if left soaking in custard for that long. Re the baking time, no, not half the time, though you could start there and check. Smaller will bake faster but not that much faster. If a 9"x13" is supposed to bake in a bit over half an hour, the 8"x8" will probably bake in about 20-25 minutes, at my best guess. That's one of those keep an eye on it kinds of things. If you wanted to make real French toast and prep the night before, you could make up the custard and put it in a covered measuring bowl, container, pitcher, or whatever, in the fridge, and set your sliced bread out to dry. You can wash and cut strawberries the night before as well, or whatever else goes with it. You could even do the mise en place with your tools and pan. Then just put the bread in to soak first thing (perhaps in a bowl with a dish on top and a weight to speed up the soaking), start the coffee, etc., and you're ready to go. Pancakes still sounds better for a surprise treat! Not as fancified, but much more enticing an aroma. :)