Description
Delightful French Toast Casserole delivers pure breakfast bliss with layers of cinnamon-kissed bread and creamy custard. Comfort meets elegance in this make-ahead morning marvel that promises to delight your breakfast table with minimal morning effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Eggs:
- 8 large eggs
Bread:
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cubed
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
Sugars and Sweeteners:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a generous coating of butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Distribute bread cubes uniformly across the dish, ensuring an even layer that will absorb the custard mixture.
- Create a luxurious custard blend by whisking together eggs, milk, cream, white and brown sugars, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fully integrated.
- Gently cascade the custard mixture over the bread cubes, carefully pressing down to guarantee complete saturation and maximum flavor absorption.
- Securely wrap the dish with plastic wrap and allow to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or ideally overnight, which enables the bread to thoroughly soak up the rich custard.
- Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it gradually approach room temperature while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the uncovered casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a set, slightly puffy texture.
- After removing from the oven, permit the casserole to settle for 5-10 minutes, allowing the internal temperature to stabilize and the texture to firm slightly.
- Serve warm, embellishing with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, or a scattering of fresh seasonal berries for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Let the bread cubes soak thoroughly in the egg mixture for maximum flavor absorption and a rich, custardy texture.
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for the best results, as they hold the custard better without becoming mushy.
- Prepare the casserole the night before for an effortless breakfast that saves time and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Easily modify the recipe by using gluten-free bread, dairy-free milk alternatives, or reducing sugar for different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg