Description
Indulge in a delightful breakfast treat with this Baked French Toast Casserole. Perfect for a leisurely morning or a special brunch, this make-ahead dish is bursting with flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Topped with a buttery crumble, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal that will please a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Casserole:
- 1 loaf (about 14–16 oz) of French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for greasing the dish)
For the topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter and spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish.
- Mix the Custard: Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour over the bread, ensuring all pieces are soaked.
- Chill Overnight: Cover and refrigerate the casserole and topping separately for at least 6 hours.
- Make the Topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter to form crumbs.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle topping over the casserole and bake for 45-55 minutes.
- Serve: Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
- For a richer flavor, use brioche or challah bread instead of French bread.
- Serve with maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
