French Toast Bake (Printable View)

Golden baked custardy bread with cinnamon and vanilla, perfect for a cozy morning.

# What You 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
03 - Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to ensure all pieces are soaked.
04 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for optimal flavor and texture.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the dish from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven heats.
07 - Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
08 - Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup, fresh berries, or powdered sugar.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Easy make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings
  • Warm comforting flavors that everyone enjoys
02 -
  • Letting the bread soak overnight makes the casserole extra custardy
  • You can use gluten-free bread and dairy-free milk for dietary needs
03 -
  • For a nutty crunch add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping
  • Chill overnight for easy prep and better flavor absorption
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