Description
This Baked French Toast Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast dish that combines day-old bread soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla. Topped with a cinnamon-brown sugar butter drizzle, it’s baked to golden perfection, making it perfect for weekend brunches or holiday mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 loaf of day-old French bread, whole wheat, brioche, challah, or ciabatta
Custard Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 2 ¼ cups milk (whole milk preferred)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar or pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place the bread cubes evenly in the dish.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup (or brown sugar), cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until fully combined. Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread soaks up the mixture.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar (or maple syrup), and cinnamon. Drizzle this mixture over the top of the casserole.
- Soak the Bread: Cover the baking dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard. For best flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Start Baking: Remove the casserole from the fridge and keep the oven at 350°F. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set.
Notes
- Using day-old bread prevents the casserole from becoming too soggy and helps it soak up the custard better.
- Whole milk is preferred for a richer, creamier custard, but you can substitute with 2% or a non-dairy milk if desired.
- Maple syrup or light brown sugar can be used interchangeably in both the custard and topping depending on your sweetness preference.
- For best results, allow the casserole to soak overnight to deepen the flavors and improve texture.
- You can add optional toppings like fresh berries, nuts, or powdered sugar before serving.
