Oven French Toast with Nut Topping

This recipe is from Uncle Pete and Aunt Robin's Bed and Breakfast in Tacoma, Washington: http://www.plumduff.com/ I made it for the first time when Travis was visiting here a few weeks ago and we all liked it. Good for company or family too.

Bread:
1 loaf French bread torn into pieces
8 eggs
2 cups milk
2 cups half and half
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon mace or allspice if you have it

Topping (Mix and plop on top)
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons dark corn syryp
1 1/3 coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

Heavily butter 13 inch x 9 inch x 2 inch baking pan.
Fill pan with bread pieces.
Mix rest of ingredients and pour over bread.
Mix topping and plop on top
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes until puffed and golden