French Toast Casserole
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base
- 1 pound brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for greasing
For the Custard
- 2 cups whole milk
- 6 large eggs
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Serving
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, for drizzling
Instructions
- 1
If your bread is not stale, preheat your oven to 350°F and spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet. Toast for 10 minutes to dry them out slightly. Otherwise, proceed directly to cutting the bread into 1-inch cubes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350
- 2
Thoroughly grease a 9x13 inch rectangular baking dish with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Arrange the cubed bread evenly in the prepared dish.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk, large eggs, 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, fine sea salt, and vanilla extract until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with your hands or a spatula to ensure all pieces are fully saturated with the liquid.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Allow the casserole to rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or for best results, refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.
⏱️ 30 min
- 6
While the casserole rests, prepare the topping. In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Mix with a fork until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole dish. Spoon and spread the butter-sugar-cinnamon topping evenly over the soaked bread cubes.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400
- 9
Remove the casserole from the oven. Using a fine-mesh sieve, generously dust the top with powdered sugar. Portion and serve immediately, with a drizzle of maple syrup.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base
- 1 pound brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for greasing
For the Custard
- 2 cups whole milk
- 6 large eggs
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Serving
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, for drizzling
Instructions
- 1
If your bread is not stale, preheat your oven to 350°F and spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet. Toast for 10 minutes to dry them out slightly. Otherwise, proceed directly to cutting the bread into 1-inch cubes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350 - 2
Thoroughly grease a 9x13 inch rectangular baking dish with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Arrange the cubed bread evenly in the prepared dish.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk, large eggs, 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, fine sea salt, and vanilla extract until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with your hands or a spatula to ensure all pieces are fully saturated with the liquid.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Allow the casserole to rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or for best results, refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.
⏱️ 30 min - 6
While the casserole rests, prepare the topping. In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Mix with a fork until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole dish. Spoon and spread the butter-sugar-cinnamon topping evenly over the soaked bread cubes.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400 - 9
Remove the casserole from the oven. Using a fine-mesh sieve, generously dust the top with powdered sugar. Portion and serve immediately, with a drizzle of maple syrup.
⏱️ 3 min