French toast casserole is a delightful breakfast dish that combines the flavors of classic French toast with the convenience of a casserole. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for a special weekend breakfast. Here’s a recipe for a delicious French toast casserole:
Ingredients:
For the Casserole:
- 1 loaf of day-old French bread or a similar crusty bread (about 12-16 oz), cut into cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- Optional toppings: maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, or whipped cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bread Cubes: Cut the day-old French bread into 1-inch cubes. If your bread is not stale, you can spread the cubes on a baking sheet and let them sit out overnight to dry.
- Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Combine Bread and Custard: Place the bread cubes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the custard mixture over the bread, making sure all the cubes are soaked. Press down on the bread gently to help it absorb the custard. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to soak up the custard.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the Topping: Remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator and uncover it. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set in the middle. You can test for doneness by inserting a knife into the center; if it comes out clean, it’s done.
- Serve: Allow the French toast casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve it with maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, or whipped cream, if desired.
Enjoy your French toast casserole as a delicious and convenient breakfast treat that’s perfect for special occasions or lazy weekends.