Weekend Recipe: Cornbread Strata

America's Test Kitchen has something a little different for us this weekend: a cornbread strata! This takes all the best parts of a morning meal and throws them together into one big dish. Perfect for a group brunch.

Cornbread Strata
Serves 10 to 12

CORNBREAD
1 cup (5 ounces) cornmeal
1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/3 cups whole milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
CUSTARD
10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 1/2 cups)
6 scallions, sliced thin
4 1/2 cups whole milk
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons salt

FOR THE CORNBREAD: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with vegetable oil spray.

Whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper, salt, and cayenne together in bowl. Whisk milk and eggs together in separate bowl. Whisk milk-egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until just combined. Pour batter into prepared sheet and spread to cover entire sheet. Bake until lightly browned and edges of cornbread pull away from sides of sheet, 17 to 19 minutes. Let cornbread cool in sheet on wire rack for 10 minutes.

FOR THE CUSTARD: Spray 13 by 9-inch baking dish with oil spray. Tear cornbread into 1-inch pieces and place in prepared dish. Add 1½ cups cheddar and scallions to cornbread and toss to combine. Whisk milk, eggs, and salt in bowl; pour custard over cornbread mixture. Top casserole with remaining 1 cup cheddar. Cover with plastic wrap, weigh down, and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Remove weights from casserole and discard plastic. Bake until lightly browned and center registers 170 degrees, 50 to 60 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes. Serve.