Description
French Toast Bake Casserole is a cozy make ahead breakfast casserole with brioche bread, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar, baked until soft in the center and golden on top. This easy French toast casserole is perfect for brunch, holiday mornings, meal prep, and family breakfast gatherings.
Ingredients
1 loaf brioche or challah bread
8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Powdered sugar for serving
Maple syrup for serving
Fresh berries optional for serving
Instructions
1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and cut the bread into bite sized cubes. Spread the bread evenly in the dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and melted butter until smooth.
3. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press the bread down so it absorbs the liquid.
4. Let the casserole sit for 20 to 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate overnight for a deeper custard texture.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
6. Bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set.
7. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
8. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with maple syrup and fresh berries if desired.
Notes
Use slightly stale bread if possible because it absorbs the custard better and gives the casserole the best texture.
For overnight prep, assemble everything, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake the next morning for an easy breakfast.
If the top browns too quickly in the oven, loosely cover the dish with foil during the final part of baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 190mg