Description
Lazy weekend mornings come alive with this heavenly Baked French Toast Casserole, blending rich custard-soaked bread with sweet cinnamon notes. Maple syrup and tender bread layers create a comforting breakfast that welcomes you to savor each delightful, indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Dairy:
- 1 loaf (about 1 lb / 454 g) French bread, cubed (or brioche, challah)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fluid ounces) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fluid ounces) heavy cream
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cubed
Sugars and Sweeteners:
- ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 ounces) brown sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 ounces) all-purpose flour
Optional Garnishes:
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Carefully coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light layer of grease, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Transform day-old bread into rustic cubes, distributing them uniformly across the greased cooking surface to create an even foundation.
- Craft a luxurious custard mixture by vigorously whisking together eggs, milk, heavy cream, white and brown sugars, aromatic vanilla extract, warm cinnamon, delicate nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until the ingredients harmonize into a smooth, silky liquid.
- Gently cascade the custard over the bread cubes, using gentle pressure to encourage maximum absorption, allowing the bread to soak up the decadent mixture completely.
- Securely wrap the baking dish and allow the casserole to rest in the refrigerator, letting flavors meld and bread thoroughly saturate for a minimum of one hour or ideally overnight.
- Heat the oven to a precise 350°F (175°C), preparing for the transformation of ingredients.
- Construct a tantalizing streusel topping by combining brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and softened butter, working the ingredients with fingertips until they form a crumbly, texture-rich mixture.
- Liberally scatter the streusel across the soaked bread, creating a golden, crisp layer that will develop during baking.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the top achieves a rich golden hue and the custard sets with a gentle wobble.
- Remove from the oven and permit the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, allowing it to stabilize and cool slightly.
- Finish with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar and serve alongside warm maple syrup, creating a luxurious breakfast experience.
Notes
- Prep ahead strategically by cutting bread into cubes the night before, ensuring even absorption of the rich custard mixture.
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better texture, as it soaks up the custard more effectively without becoming overly mushy.
- Create gluten-free variations by substituting regular bread with gluten-free alternatives like brioche or challah, maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
- Experiment with flavor variations by adding chopped nuts, dried fruits, or a splash of bourbon to the custard for an unexpected twist on the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg