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French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.2 from 7 reviews

A delightful French Toast Casserole perfect for a comforting breakfast or brunch, featuring cubes of French bread soaked in a rich egg and cinnamon custard, baked with a buttery brown sugar base for a caramelized finish.

Ingredients

For the Base

  • ½ loaf French bread (about 8 oz), cut into cubes
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar

For the Custard

  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon (divided)

For the Topping

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Powdered sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Butter a 13x9 inch (33x23 cm) baking dish thoroughly and set it aside to get ready for the casserole.
  2. Make the Brown Sugar Butter Base: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the packed brown sugar until it dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth. Pour this warm mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a caramel-like base.
  3. Add Bread Cubes: Spread the cubed French bread evenly over the brown sugar butter layer in the baking dish, ensuring a uniform layer.
  4. Prepare Custard Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Pour this custard evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all bread pieces are well soaked with the mixture.
  5. Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar evenly over the soaked bread. This will add extra sweetness and a lovely cinnamon flavor to the top.
  6. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. The edges should be bubbly and caramelized.
  7. Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally dust the top with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting French Toast Casserole!

Notes

  • Use day-old French bread or slightly stale bread for best texture, as it absorbs the custard better without turning mushy.
  • For an extra flavor dimension, consider adding a splash of orange zest or a handful of chopped nuts before baking.
  • This casserole can be prepared the night before by assembling and refrigerating it, then baking in the morning; just add extra baking time if baking straight from cold.
  • If you prefer a gluten-free option, substitute the French bread with your favorite gluten-free bread.
  • Powdered sugar is optional but adds a nice dusting that enhances appearance and sweetness.

Find it online: https://simpleplatter.com/french-toast-casserole-recipe/