Description
This Crockpot French Toast Casserole is a deliciously easy breakfast dish featuring brioche bread soaked in a rich mixture of eggs, whole milk, vanilla, and warm spices, all slow-cooked to a creamy, custard-like perfection. Perfect for a cozy morning, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers comforting flavors with a luscious texture that pairs wonderfully with maple syrup or fruit compote.
Ingredients
Scale
French Toast Base
- 16 ounces loaf sliced brioche bread, cut into 1-2” cubes (day old works best)
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 2¼ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Topping
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Grease the insert of a 5 quart or larger slow cooker. Add the cubed brioche bread evenly into the bottom, ensuring it’s spread out for even soaking.
- Make the Custard Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture over the cubed bread, pressing down gently with a spatula to submerge all the bread cubes completely in the liquid. Cover the slow cooker insert and refrigerate for 1 hour, or for best results, cover and leave overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- Add Toppings: After soaking, sprinkle the light brown sugar evenly over the top of the soaked bread and dot with the cubes of unsalted butter.
- Slow Cook the Casserole: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 1 to 2 hours, or on low heat for 2 to 4 hours. Cooking time depends on your slow cooker, so cook until the egg and bread mixture is fully set and cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, serve the French Toast Casserole immediately. It pairs beautifully with maple syrup, fruit compote, or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness and flavor.
Notes
- Using day-old brioche bread helps the cubes soak up the custard better without becoming too soggy.
- Cooking times may vary based on your slow cooker model; start checking doneness after the minimum recommended time.
- Cover the slow cooker insert tightly when chilling to prevent fridge odors from affecting the casserole.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk, and use a plant-based butter alternative.
- This dish can be prepared the night before for a convenient breakfast option.
