Description
Brioche French Toast Casserole brings Sunday morning magic to your breakfast table with its custardy layers of rich, buttery bread. Drizzle maple syrup over this crowd-pleasing dish and watch your family’s faces light up with pure breakfast delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf brioche bread
- 8 large eggs
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
Liquid and Sweet Components:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Spices and Toppings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
- powdered sugar
- ground cinnamon
- cinnamon sugar
- maple syrup
- honey
- fresh fruit
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Transform a 14-16 ounce brioche loaf into even 1-inch thick slices. Generously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Crack 8 large eggs into a spacious mixing bowl. Whisk them thoroughly with 12 ounces of evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt to the egg mixture. Blend until completely smooth and fully incorporated.
- Arrange bread slices in a single layer inside the prepared baking dish. Pour the entire egg mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring each slice gets saturated.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, allowing bread to absorb the liquid thoroughly.
- Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- If desired, sprinkle ⅓ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds across the top of the casserole.
- Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center becomes set and slightly puffy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.
- Accompany with maple syrup, ground cinnamon, cinnamon sugar, honey, fresh fruit, or whipped cream as preferred.
Notes
- Opt for day-old brioche for the best texture, as slightly stale bread absorbs the custard more effectively.
- Let the casserole sit overnight in the refrigerator to allow bread to fully soak up the rich egg mixture, developing deeper flavors.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute brioche with gluten-free bread and ensure all other ingredients are celiac-safe.
- Toast chopped nuts before sprinkling on top to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the casserole’s surface.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg