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 hours or overnight, turning bread once. Pour butter in a 15x10x2-inch jellyroll pan; place bread slices in a single layer in pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes; sprinkle with nuts. Bake 10 additi minutes. Garnish, if desired, and serve immediately with maple syrup.