Description
French toast casserole blends comfort and elegance in a single baking dish. Cinnamon-spiced bread pudding offers a delightful breakfast experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread (cubed)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
Sweeteners:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
Spices and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter (melted)
- Maple syrup (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious 9×13-inch baking vessel by generously coating with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Transform day-old bread into uniform cubes, arranging them evenly across the prepared dish, creating a foundational layer.
- Craft a luxurious custard mixture by whisking eggs, milk, cream, granulated and brown sugars, aromatic vanilla extract, warming cinnamon, fragrant nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently cascade the custard over bread cubes, ensuring complete saturation and allowing each piece to absorb the rich liquid thoroughly. Allow the mixture to rest and develop flavors for a minimum of 30 minutes, or ideally refrigerate overnight for maximum taste infusion.
- Just before baking, delicately drizzle melted butter across the surface, which will create a golden, crispy exterior during cooking.
- Position the casserole in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, baking for 40-45 minutes until the top transforms into a beautiful golden-brown hue and the center sets with a gentle firmness.
- Remove from oven and let rest momentarily, then serve while warm, generously adorned with pure maple syrup for a decadent breakfast experience.
Notes
- Soak bread overnight to maximize flavor absorption and create a rich, custardy texture.
- Select day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for better structure and less soggy results.
- Customize with mix-ins like chopped nuts, fresh berries, or chocolate chips to elevate the basic recipe.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free bread and ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 378
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 212 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 152 mg