Description
French Toast Bake layers soft bread, eggs, and warm cinnamon into one comforting breakfast dish. It’s a cozy morning favorite that brings everyone to the table with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
Sweeteners:
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup butter
Instructions
- Slice the French bread into 1-inch cubes, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size so they soak up the custard evenly.
- Crack 8 eggs into a large mixing bowl, whisking them thoroughly until they become smooth and consistent.
- Pour 2 cups milk and ½ cup heavy cream into the egg mixture, stirring until completely blended.
- Add ¾ cup white sugar, 2 tablespoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg to the liquid mixture, whisking until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Arrange the bread cubes in a 9×13 inch baking dish, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Carefully drizzle the entire custard mixture over the bread cubes, gently pressing down with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the bread to soak up the custard completely.
- Melt ½ cup butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then remove from stove.
- Stir ½ cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon maple syrup into the melted butter until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and remove the chilled bread mixture from the refrigerator.
- Drizzle the butter-sugar mixture evenly across the top of the soaked bread cubes.
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, rotating the dish halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Remove from the oven when the top is golden brown and the center looks set.
- Allow the French toast bake to cool for 10 minutes before serving with additional maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for better absorption and a more structured texture in the French toast bake.
- Press bread cubes gently into the custard to ensure even coating and maximum flavor penetration.
- For a gluten-free version, swap French bread with gluten-free bread cubes and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free.
- Make this dish ahead of time by assembling the night before and baking fresh in the morning for an effortless breakfast crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 426 kcal
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 245 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg