p>Mornings at my house used to be a total disaster. I was always rushing around with five different pans and trying to flip bread while the coffee was overflowing. It was a mess. Then I found out about this baked breakfast and it changed everything for me. I remember the first time I tried to host a big brunch for my family. I spent the whole time stuck at the stove while everyone else was laughing and eating. That was the last time I did that. This recipe is my secret weapon. You can prep it all ahead of time and just slide it in the oven. It gets so crispy on top but stays like a soft custard in the middle. It is the best comfort food ever and you actually get to sit down and eat with your friends.

How to make a deliciously easy French toast casserole: Essential Ingredients

You do not need anything fancy for this. Just grab some high quality basics and you are good to go. I like to keep things simple so you can focus on the flavor.

One big loaf of brioche or challah bread cut into one inch cubes
Eight large eggs
Two cups of whole milk
Half a cup of heavy cream for that extra richness
Three quarters of a cup of maple syrup to keep things naturally sweet
Two teaspoons of ground cinnamon
One tablespoon of vanilla flavoring
A quarter teaspoon of salt
For the topping you will need half a cup of brown sugar and half a cup of cold butter cut into cubes

Instructions on how to make a deliciously easy French toast casserole

Follow these steps and I promise your breakfast will turn out perfect every single time. Start by greasing a nine by thirteen inch baking dish with a little butter so nothing sticks.

Toss your bread cubes into the baking dish and spread them out so they are nice and even
In a big bowl whisk your eggs and milk and heavy cream and maple syrup and cinnamon and vanilla and salt until it is all smooth
Pour that liquid gold right over the bread cubes and use a spatula to press the bread down so every piece gets soaked
Cover the dish with some foil and put it in the fridge for at least four hours or just leave it overnight which is what I always do
When you are ready to eat preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Mix your brown sugar and cold butter in a small bowl with a fork until it looks like crumbs and sprinkle that all over the top
Bake it for about 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden and the middle is set

Timing and preparation details

Timing is everything here. I know you might want to bake it right away but the bread really needs time to drink up that custard. If you skip the chilling part you might end up with a soggy mess at the bottom and dry bread on top. It only takes ten minutes of actual work and then you just let it rest. If you see the top getting too brown too fast just put some foil over it for the last ten minutes of baking.

My top secrets for how to make a deliciously easy French toast casserole

I have made this a million times and the bread is the most important part. Do not use that thin sandwich bread from the grocery store. It just cannot handle the liquid. You need a thick bread like brioche. If your bread is super fresh you should leave the cubes out on a tray for an hour to dry them out. This lets them soak up way more flavor. I also like to add a tiny pinch of nutmeg to the sugar topping to make it taste extra cozy.

How to make a deliciously easy French toast casserole for a crowd

This is the best dish for hosting people. You can just put the whole dish on the table and let everyone dig in. I love to set out bowls of fresh berries and sliced bananas and maybe some extra honey. If you want something salty on the side you should serve this with some grilled beef strips or some seasoned chicken sausages. Since we do not use certain meats these options are great for keeping everyone full and happy.

Frequently Asked Questions: How to make a deliciously easy French toast casserole

Can I use a different type of milk. Yes you can use almond milk or oat milk if you want. It will be a little less creamy than the whole milk version but it still tastes great.

Can I freeze this casserole. You can definitely freeze it after it is baked and cooled down. Just wrap it up tight with plastic and foil. When you want to eat it let it thaw in the fridge and then warm it up in the oven at 350 degrees.

Is it okay to use fruit juice instead of syrup. If you want a different flavor you can use apple juice instead of some of the syrup. It adds a really nice fruity taste that goes great with the cinnamon.

Estimated Nutritional Facts

This is for one standard serving of the casserole.

Calories 380
Total Fat 18g
Saturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 145mg
Sodium 320mg
Total Carbohydrates 42g
Sugars 18g
Protein 12g