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Baked French Toast Casserole

Baked French Toast Casserole
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Baked French Toast Casserole is a warm, comforting breakfast dish combining day-old bread soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, baked to golden perfection. Featuring crispy edges and a tender, custardy center, it’s an effortless meal perfect for weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or feeding a crowd. This versatile recipe allows easy customization with fruits, nuts, or dairy-free alternatives to suit all tastes and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 cups day-old brioche, challah, or French bread, cut into 1–2 inch cubes or thick slices
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 cups milk or cream (or dairy-free milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons butter, for greasing the baking dish and optionally dotting the top

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Baking Dish: Generously butter a medium or large baking dish to prevent sticking and encourage a golden, crispy edge for your casserole. This adds extra flavor and improves texture.
  2. Cube or Slice Bread: Cut your chosen day-old bread into roughly one- to two-inch cubes or thick slices. Using slightly stale bread helps it soak up the custard without falling apart during baking.
  3. Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk (or cream), sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until smooth and aromatic, ready to infuse the bread with flavor.
  4. Assemble the Casserole: Layer the bread cubes evenly in the buttered dish. Pour the custard mixture over the bread, pressing gently to ensure each piece absorbs the liquid. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soak thoroughly.
  5. Bake Until Golden: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 to 55 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is golden brown with slightly crispy edges. Check doneness by inserting a knife or toothpick; it should come out clean.
  6. Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let everything set perfectly before cutting and serving. Optionally garnish with powdered sugar, fresh berries, or maple syrup.

Notes

  • Use sturdy day-old bread such as brioche or challah to prevent sogginess and maintain texture.
  • Allow bread to soak in custard at least 15 minutes for best flavor and moistness.
  • Add toppings like nuts or brown sugar before baking for a crunchy caramelized crust.
  • Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg to your taste but be careful not to overpower the custard.
  • Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean without drying out the casserole.
  • Make ahead by assembling the night before and refrigerating, then bake fresh in the morning.
  • To store leftovers, keep airtight in the refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month.
  • Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes for best texture; microwaving is faster but softens crispy edges.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked french toast casserole, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, easy baked french toast, make ahead breakfast, gluten free french toast, dairy free casserole

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/baked-french-toast-casserole/