Cinnamon French Toast Sticks (Easy Oven Recipe)

Prep:

1. Preheat oven to 350F, position the top oven rack in the middle of the oven, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon, and set aside.
3. Cut each thick slice of bread into 3 to 4 vertical pieces. If you're using regular sandwich bread slices (vs. thick Texas toast) baking time will be shorter.
4. In a 9x9-inch square baking dish or shallow dish, whisk the milk, eggs, and vanilla.

Soak the cinnamon sticks:

1. Dip the sliced bread sticks in the egg mixture, turning each stick to soak up enough liquid on each side. Use a fork to lift them out and let the excess liquid drip back onto the dish. Then, place them on the lined baking pan. Repeat the process with all the bread slices.
2. Sprinkle the tops of the breadsticks with half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Bake:

1. Bake the french toast sticks in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, remove the tray from the oven, turn them over, and sprinkle the tops with the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture. 
2. Bake for an additional 12 to 15 minutes until the tops are golden and the middles are cooked through.

Serve:

1. Dust with a little powdered sugar (optional) and serve with maple syrup.