Description
Delightful French toast casserole brings weekend comfort to breakfast tables across North America. Creamy custard-soaked bread bakes into a golden, crisp-edged morning treat you’ll savor with joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
- 1 loaf (454 g / 1 lb) French bread, cubed (or brioche, challah)
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) brown sugar
- ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent adherence of ingredients during cooking.
- Bread Arrangement: Cube day-old bread and distribute evenly across the greased surface, creating a uniform base for the casserole.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, white and brown sugars, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until a smooth, cohesive mixture forms, ensuring all components are fully integrated.
- Soaking Process: Pour custard over bread cubes, gently pressing to maximize absorption, allowing bread to become completely saturated with the rich liquid mixture.
- Refrigeration: Cover and chill the casserole for at least one hour or overnight, enabling flavors to develop and bread to fully absorb the custard.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning rack in the center for even heat distribution.
- Streusel Topping: Blend brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and softened butter using fingertips to create a crumbly, textured mixture that will provide a crisp, golden crown to the dish.
- Final Assembly: Sprinkle streusel generously over the soaked bread, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor and texture.
- Baking: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the top turns a deep golden brown and the custard sets with a slight jiggle, indicating perfect doneness.
- Serving Preparation: Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, then dust with powdered sugar and serve alongside warm maple syrup for a decadent breakfast experience.
Notes
- Choose Stale Bread Wisely: Select day-old bread like brioche, challah, or French bread for maximum absorption and rich texture. Slightly dried bread prevents soggy results and creates perfect custard-soaked cubes.
- Overnight Soak Technique: Refrigerate casserole for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow bread to fully absorb custard and develop deeper flavor complexity. This resting period ensures even moisture distribution.
- Customize Spice Profile: Experiment with spice ratios or add nutmeg, cardamom, or orange zest to elevate the traditional cinnamon flavor. Adjust sweetness by balancing brown and white sugars to suit personal taste preferences.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Pat bread cubes gently to remove excess moisture before mixing with custard. Use a light hand when pouring liquid to maintain structural integrity and achieve crispy, golden top layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg