Here’s a delicious French Toast Bake recipe—perfect for breakfast or brunch and easy to make ahead:
Ingredients (serves 6–8)
For the Bake:
- 1 loaf of bread (about 10–12 slices; brioche or challah works best), cubed
- 6 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk (or half-and-half for richer custard)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup fresh or frozen berries (optional)
For the Topping (optional streusel):
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Prep the dish
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange cubed bread evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle berries over the bread if using.
2. Make the custard
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour custard evenly over the bread, pressing lightly so all cubes soak.
3. Add topping (optional)
- Mix brown sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon to make a crumbly topping.
- Sprinkle over the custard-soaked bread.
4. Chill (optional but recommended)
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. This helps the bread absorb the custard fully.
5. Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the custard is set.
6. Serve
- Let cool 5 minutes before slicing.
- Optional: drizzle with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips
- Use slightly stale bread—it soaks up custard better without getting mushy.
- Add nuts like pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
- For a richer flavor, swap half the sugar with brown sugar in the custard.
If you want, I can also give a quick 20-minute microwave or skillet French toast bake for when you’re short on time.
