Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 65 mins
Soak Time: 8 hrs
Total: 9 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 8 servings
French toast casserole is an effortless way to enjoy the flavors of French toast without the hassle of flipping individual slices. Ideal for feeding a crowd, this dish is best prepped the night before and baked in the morning.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
- 1 (12 ounce) loaf French bread, torn into bite-size pieces (about 12 cups)
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 6 large eggs
- 2/3 cup (132 grams) light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup, divided, plus more for serving
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Powdered sugar, for garnish
Steps to Make It
Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Brush 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Place the bread chunks evenly in the dish and sprinkle with pecans.
Make the Custard:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon.
Assemble the Casserole:
- Pour the half-and-half mixture over the bread chunks and pecans. Press lightly to ensure all bread pieces absorb the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours.
Prepare for Baking:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats.
- In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
Bake the Casserole:
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the casserole.
- Bake until the bread has puffed slightly and the sugar topping is crispy and dark brown, about 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.
How To Store French Toast Casserole
- Refrigerate: Store leftover French toast casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve cold, at room temperature, or warmed in the microwave.
- Freeze: After baking, let the casserole cool completely. Wrap it well in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.
Recipe Variations
- Spices and Nuts: Experiment with cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger for the spices. Try toasted hazelnuts or almonds instead of pecans.
- Pumpkin French Toast Casserole: Whisk up to 1 cup canned pumpkin puree into the custard.
- **Cinnamon Raisin Bread
:** Use cinnamon raisin bread instead of French bread for extra flavor.
What to Serve with French Toast Casserole
- Meat: Pair with sausage links or patties, crispy bacon, or veggie sausage. The combination of maple syrup and savory breakfast meat is a classic delight.
- Condiments: Have warmed maple syrup, softened salted butter, and flaky sea salt on the table for those who enjoy a sweet and salty contrast.
- Fruit: Add a bowl of fruit salad or cut fruit to round out the meal.
Tips for Making French Toast Casserole
- Overnight Soak: Refrigerating the casserole overnight allows the custard to evenly seep into the bread, resulting in a consistently perfect texture.
- Toasted Pecans: Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor.
- Milk Substitute: Use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream instead of half-and-half if preferred.
- Less Sweet Option: For a less sweet casserole, reduce the sugar in the custard to 1/3 to 1/2 cup.
- Stale Bread: This recipe works best with stale or dry bread. Purchase your loaf ahead of time, or tear it into cubes and let them sit uncovered on a baking sheet for a few hours to dry out.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 472
- Fat: 23g
- Carbs: 55g
- Protein: 13g
Enjoy this delicious French toast casserole for an easy and satisfying breakfast or brunch!
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