Description
This French Toast Delight is a rich and comforting baked casserole perfect for brunch or holiday mornings. Featuring soft, custardy bread cubes soaked in a vanilla-cinnamon custard and topped with a buttery streusel, it offers a perfect balance of tender center and crisp golden topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 loaf French bread (or brioche), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup fresh berries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 4 oz cream cheese cubes
Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
Instructions
- Prepare dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish to form the base layer.
- Mix custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, gently pressing down to ensure the bread soaks up the custard. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though overnight soaking yields the best texture.
- Make topping: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add cold cubed butter and cut it into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the soaked bread casserole. Bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes out of the oven. Serve warm, optionally garnished with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit for added flavor.
Notes
- For a softer French toast casserole, cover the dish with foil during the first 25 minutes of baking, then uncover for the remaining time.
- For an extra crisp topping, place the casserole under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes at the end of baking—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Leftovers reheat well in either an oven or air fryer, maintaining texture and flavor.
