Description

Baked French Toast Casserole is a cozy and comforting breakfast dish that transforms classic French toast into a soft, custardy, and golden baked meal perfect for weekend brunches or special mornings. Easy to prepare, customizable, and ideal for serving a crowd, this casserole combines simple wholesome ingredients into a visually inviting and scrumptious dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

6–8 thick slices of stale or day-old bread (such as brioche, challah, or sourdough)

Custard

6 large eggs
2 cups milk or cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Butter and Toppings

3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Optional: fresh berries, sliced apples, bananas, chopped pecans or walnuts, extra cinnamon sugar, chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare the Bread: Cut thick slices of bread into cubes or keep them as slices. Arrange them evenly in a greased baking dish ensuring the pan is well filled.
Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk or cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth and creamy.
Combine and Soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, gently pressing the bread pieces to help absorb the liquid. Let it soak for at least 20 minutes, or for best results, refrigerate overnight.
Add Butter and Optional Toppings: Dot the top with small pieces of butter, which will melt during baking to create a golden, crispy crust. Optionally, add nuts, fruit, or sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar on top.
Bake Until Golden: Bake the casserole at 350°F (175°C) for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the custard is fully set and the top is golden brown and crisp.

Notes

Use day-old or stale bread for optimal custard absorption without sogginess.
For deeper flavor, let the casserole soak overnight in the refrigerator.
Adjust liquid amounts to avoid a mushy casserole; avoid overly wet bread.
Add crunchy toppings like streusel or chopped nuts for texture contrast.
Monitor baking time carefully; ensure custard is set but casserole remains tender.

Prep Time: 25 minutes (including soaking time)
Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 250 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 9 g
Cholesterol: 180 mg

Keywords: Baked French Toast, Breakfast Casserole, Custardy French Toast, Brunch Recipe, Comfort Food