French Toast Bake (Printable)

Warm breakfast casserole with custardy bread, baked to golden perfection with cinnamon and vanilla notes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 1 loaf day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Custard

02 - 6 large eggs
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

# Method:

01 - Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Arrange bread cubes evenly in the dish.
02 - Whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
03 - Pour custard evenly over bread cubes, pressing gently to fully soak all pieces.
04 - Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl, then drizzle over the casserole surface.
05 - Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for enhanced flavor.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature as oven heats.
07 - Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until top is golden brown and custard is set.
08 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally with maple syrup, fresh berries, or powdered sugar.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to prepare ahead for busy mornings
  • Crowd-pleasing comfort food that works for brunch or gatherings
02 -
  • Contains eggs dairy and gluten always check bread ingredients for allergies
  • You can prepare the casserole the night before to save time in the morning
03 -
  • Use stale bread for best texture and custard absorption
  • Add fresh fruit or nuts to the topping for extra flavor
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