French Toast Casserole Recipe

Savor the transformation of day-old French bread into an irresistible dish. This easy French Toast Bake boasts a luscious custard enriched with egg, milk, cream, and warm cinnamon. A hint of vanilla elevates its flavor, inviting family and friends to relish a taste experience that inspires shared moments and delightful conversation.

I have always been a fan of recipes that let you prepare most of the work ahead of time and this French Toast Casserole is one of my top picks. I love using a day old French bread or brioche cut into cubes because it soaks up the egg and milk mixture perfectly.

In my version, I mix 8 large eggs with 2 cups of whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Then i coat everything in a greased dish using 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.

This dish reminds me of recipes like an Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake and even an Xmas Morning French Toast Casserole that my grandma used to make. Its eggy character with a hint of cinnamon makes it an unbeatable treat for those busy mornings when you want something quick yet special.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because, for one, it’s really simple to prep ahead of time. I can mix everything together the night before and just bake it in the morning, which makes hectic mornings way less stressful. Also, the flavor is just unbeatable – it’s super eggy and has a perfect hint of cinnamon that makes every bite feel warm and comforting. Another thing is that using day-old bread or brioche is genius; it soaks up all the custard and turns into a rich, satisfying dish without feeling too heavy. And finally, I like that it’s versatile – I can keep it plain or jazz it up with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of my favorite syrup, depending on my mood.

This french toast casserole is honestly my go-to breakfast when I want something special. Its custardy texture mixed with that lightly golden, crisp top makes every bite worth it, even on days when I’m just in a rush. It’s a dish that feels indulgent but is actually pretty easy to put together, and that’s why I keep coming back to it.

Ingredients

• French bread or brioche: Offers hearty carbs and soaks up creamy custard well.
• Eggs: They add protein and help bind the mix real good.
• Whole milk: Adds creaminess and moisture, keeping the casserole super soft.
• Heavy cream: Brings extra richness and an awesome flavor that makes it extra tasty.
• Granulated sugar: Offers enough sweetness to balance out the warm spices.
• Ground cinnamon: Warms the dish and adds a cozy, homey spice kick.
• Vanilla extract: Gives a dreamy, aromatic flavor that everyone will totally love.
• Unsalted butter: Greases the dish and adds extra buttery richness every time.
• Salt: Just a pinch adds balance to the sweet and creamy flavors.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 loaf day old French bread or brioche, cut into cubes
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter for greasing the dish

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F so it gets nice and warm while you prep everything.

2. Grease a casserole dish with the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter to keep the French toast from sticking.

3. Spread the cubes of day old French bread or brioche evenly in the dish.

4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the 8 eggs then add the 2 cups of whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix it all together real good.

5. Pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread cubes, making sure all of the bread gets soaked.

6. Let the mixture sit for about 20 to 30 minutes so the bread can really absorb all that yummy custard.

7. Put the casserole in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the custard is set and the top starts to look a little golden.

8. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool a bit before you dig in.

9. Serve it warm, and if you want, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top or add your favorite syrup. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Casserole dish
3. Knife and cutting board for cutting the bread
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Whisk or fork for beating the eggs
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Spatula or serving spoon for handling the baked dish

FAQ

French Toast Casserole Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can use challah or even Italian bread instead of the day old French bread or brioche
• If you dont have whole milk you could mix 2% milk with a little melted butter to mimic the creaminess
• If heavy cream is hard to find try using half-and-half with a splash of extra cream or even coconut cream and see how it turns out
• Replacing granulated sugar with light brown sugar gives a richer flavor or try coconut sugar if youd like a slight twist

Pro Tips

1. For a richer flavor, try toasting or virtually drying out your bread overnight; it holds up better to the custard and doesn’t turn to mush while baking.
2. Let the bread sit in the egg mixture for a full 20-30 minutes so it really soaks up all those yummy flavors, but if you leave it too long, the bread might become too soggy.
3. Keep an eye on the casserole in the oven; if the top starts getting too brown before the custard is fully set, cover it loosely with some foil so it cooks evenly.
4. If you really wanna impress, experiment a little by adding a sprinkle of nutmeg or even a bit of orange zest to the custard mix for an extra depth of flavor.