French Toast Casserole Recipe

I just made this epic french toast casserole where day-old french bread soaks up a creamy egg mix with cinnamon and vanilla that seriously blew my mind, and i’m totally hooked on it.

My French Toast Casserole is a balanced dish with protein from eggs and energy from whole milk, heavy cream and sugar. I like using day old French bread that soaks up melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt.

I think this recipe boasts a solid nutritional profile with powdered sugar.

Ingredients

• French bread: Provides carbohydrates and fiber while absorbing custard for a hearty base.
• Eggs: Rich in protein and natural fats which bind ingredients and add creaminess.
• Whole milk: Adds smooth moisture and extra protein to balance the dish.
• Heavy cream: Offers a decadently rich, velvety texture, enhancing flavor and depth.
• Sugar: Gives a sweet contrast, balancing savory tones with its pleasant sweetness.
• Butter: Drizzled over the top to add crispiness and a rich, buttery finish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 loaf day old French bread, cut into cubes (about 10 cups)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for greasing and drizzling)
• Powdered sugar for serving (optional)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish using half of the melted butter.

2. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish so they soak up all the later added custard.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until its well blended.

4. Pour the egg mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes making sure every piece gets soaked.

5. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or place it in the fridge overnight if you want extra flavor.

6. After soaking, remove the cover and drizzle the remaining melted butter evenly over the top.

7. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes until the custard is set and the top starts turning a nice light brown.

8. When done, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

9. If you prefer, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top for a touch of extra sweetness.

10. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious French Toast Casserole!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – Needed to preheat and bake the casserole
2. A 9×13 inch casserole dish – For greasing, layering the bread cubes, and baking
3. A large mixing bowl – To whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt
4. A whisk – To blend the custard ingredients thoroughly
5. Measuring cups and spoons – For accurately portioning out the milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and spices
6. A sharp knife – For cutting the French bread into cubes if it isn’t pre-cut
7. Plastic wrap – To cover the dish during the soaking period
8. A spatula or spoon – For drizzling the melted butter evenly over the soaked bread

FAQ

• Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
  A: Yeah, you can mix everything a day early and keep it in the fridge. Just cover well and pop it in the oven when you’re ready.
• Q: Do I have to use French bread?
  A: French bread works best cause it soaks up the custard real good. But if you dont have it, a sturdy white bread can work too, though the texture might be a bit different.
• Q: Can I use a different type of milk?
  A: Sure can, you can swap whole milk with almond or oat milk if you need a dairy-free version, but remember the flavor might change a bit.
• Q: How do I know when it’s done?
  A: The casserole should be bubbly and golden on top and the middle firm . If you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean, it’s ready to serve.
• Q: Is heavy cream necessary?
  A: Heavy cream makes it extra rich, but if you dont have any, you can use more milk. Just know that the dish might not be as creamy.

French Toast Casserole Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For the day old French bread, you can use brioche or challah instead – they work pretty well if it’s a bit stale.
• If you dont have whole milk, try using 2% milk or unsweetened almond milk for a slight twist.
• You can swap heavy cream with half-and-half; it might be a little lighter but it still gives a nice creamy taste.
• If you’re out of unsalted butter, melted coconut oil or a good quality margarine will do the trick.
• Instead of vanilla extract, a splash of almond extract or a little extra cinnamon can change up the flavor in a fun way.

Pro Tips

1. If your French bread ain’t exactly day-old, try to dry it out a bit by toasting it lightly in the oven before cubing it. This makes it soak up the custard way better.

2. Letting the custard fully soak in the bread is key – if you can, cover it and pop it in the fridge overnight instead of just 30 minutes at room temperature. The flavors really develop and it tastes sooo much richer.

3. Watch your oven like a hawk toward the end of baking. If the top is browning too fast, cover it loosely with foil to ensure the custard cooks through without getting too dark.

4. Drizzling the rest of the melted butter evenly on top right before baking not only keeps it moist but also gives it that delicious buttery finish. Seriously, this little trick makes a big difference!