Combine eggs and next 5 ingredients, stirring well. Fit bread slices in a single layer into a lightly greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Pour egg mixture over bread slices; cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight, turning bread once.
Pour butter in a 15 x 10 x 1 inch jellyroll pan; place bread slices in a single layer in pan.
Bake at 400 for 10 minutes; sprinkle with nuts. Bake 10 additional minutes. Garnish, if desired, and serve immediately with maple syrup.