If you love the rich, custardy flavor of classic French toast but don’t want to stand at the stove flipping slice after slice, this French Toast Bake is about to become your new favorite breakfast dish.
Golden, soft, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, this baked version captures everything you adore about French toast — but in a fuss-free, family-sized casserole form. Perfect for weekend brunches, holidays, or lazy Sunday mornings, it’s a recipe that feels indulgent yet comforting, all with minimal effort.
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Easy and make-ahead: Assemble it the night before, then bake fresh in the morning.
✅ Perfect for a crowd: Feeds the whole family — no flipping required!
✅ Customizable: Add fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips for fun variations.
✅ Warm and comforting: Every bite tastes like cozy weekend happiness.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 loaf (about 12–14 oz) French bread or brioche, cut into cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or substitute with more milk)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries or sliced bananas
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Bread
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly across the dish.
Tip: Day-old bread works best — it soaks up the custard without turning soggy.
2. Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and well blended.
3. Assemble the Bake
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down lightly to ensure all the bread is coated.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor and texture.
4. Bake It
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Drizzle melted butter over the top, then bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crisp, while the center remains soft and custardy.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle generously with maple syrup, and add your favorite toppings — like berries, sliced bananas, or crunchy nuts.
Serve warm and enjoy the sweet, cozy comfort of this make-ahead breakfast classic.
✨ Tips & Variations
- 🍎 Make it fruity: Add sliced apples, blueberries, or raspberries between the bread layers before baking.
- 🥜 Add some crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking for texture.
- 🍫 Sweet twist: Swirl in cream cheese or sprinkle chocolate chips for a dessert-like version.
- 🌾 Bread options: Brioche, challah, or Texas toast work wonderfully for rich, fluffy results.
💬 Final Thoughts
This French Toast Bake is the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. It brings all the nostalgic flavors of French toast into one warm, inviting casserole that’s easy to prepare and absolutely delicious.
Whether you’re hosting brunch or just treating yourself to a slow morning, this dish fills your kitchen with the irresistible scent of cinnamon and vanilla — and fills your plate with cozy comfort in every bite.
✨ Make it once, and it’s sure to become a weekend favorite.
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