Description
A warm and comforting baked French toast casserole made with day-old bread soaked in a rich custard, topped with a sweet cinnamon-butter glaze. Perfect for easy weekend breakfasts or holiday brunches.
Ingredients
1 loaf of day-old French bread, whole wheat, brioche, challah, or ciabatta
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 the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place the bread cubes evenly in the dish.
- 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.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar (or maple syrup), and cinnamon. Drizzle this mixture over the top of the casserole.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let the bread soak. For best flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the casserole from the fridge and keep the oven at 350°F. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-20 minutes until the top is golden and the custard is set.
Notes
Use day-old bread for better custard absorption and texture; if using fresh bread, toast lightly first.
Try brioche or challah for richer flavor variations.
Add fresh or frozen berries to the custard before baking for a fruity twist.
Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top for crunch.
For a dairy-free option, substitute almond or oat milk for whole milk.
Add nutmeg or allspice alongside cinnamon for extra warmth.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 15 minutes or microwave for convenience.
Freezes well; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
