French Toast Bake
on Jul 25, 2023
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Mornings can be rough, but a delicious and hassle-free breakfast can turn the day around. Enter the French Toast Bake, a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite that will have you jumping out of bed with anticipation.
This easy-to-make dish combines the sweetness of French toast with the simplicity of a casserole, making it the perfect choice for a lazy Sunday brunch or a special occasion.
French Toast Bake
French toast bake is loved by me for the make-ahead convenience. This makes it perfect for gatherings or busy mornings, as you can prepare it in advance and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy.
My recipe for french toast bake can feed a crowd. Unlike traditional French toast, which is made one slice at a time, this bake allows you to feed a group without spending hours in the kitchen. And you all know how I like to feed a group!
The best bread to use for a French Toast bake: sourdough, brioche, challah, or even baguette. I would stay away from fresh bread and prioritize day-old bread.I like using sourdough or a medium size baguette. I have noticed the more core strength the bread has the better the French Toast bake is.
Ingredients
- Bread: sourdough, brioche or challah
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Keep scrolling to find a full, printable recipe with a detailed ingredient list.
Recipe Instructions
- Prepare and Grease: Butter a 9 x 13 bake dish. Set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated sugar, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Add cubed bread, gently pressing each piece down to soak in the egg mixture.
- Pour the bread/egg mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- If refrigerated for 30 minutes, preheat the oven to 350°F . If refrigerated overnight, take the dish out of the fridge while preheating. Bake for 45 to 48 minutes until the French Toast is golden on top.
- Cool and Serve: Allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best bread to use for a French Toast bake: sourdough, brioche, challah, or even baguette. I would stay away from fresh bread and prioritize day-old bread.
Yes! You can replace regular milk with almond milk, coconut milk, or any other non-dairy alternative without compromising the taste or texture.
Feel free to add your favorite toppings or fillings to customize your French Toast Bake. Popular options include fresh berries, sliced bananas, chocolate chips, nuts, or even a cream cheese filling between the bread layers.
Yes! French Toast Bake is a great make-ahead dish. Simply follow the recipe until Step 4, cover the dish, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven and bake as directed. This allows the flavors to meld together and saves you time in the morning.
More Recipes
If you’ve tried this French Toast Bake recipe or any other recipe on Bless This Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
French Toast Bake
Ingredients
- 9 slices bread, cubed, about 1 inch each, about a pound of bread
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 8 eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Butter a 9 x 13 bake dish. (I like to butter the dish as it adds another layer of flavor to the crust that is nice and golden. You can oil instead if you prefer.) Set aside
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated sugar, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until all ingredients are combined.
- Add the cubed bread into the bowl, gently pressing each piece down so they are all soaking in the egg mixture.
- Pour the bread/egg mixture into the prepared 9 x 13. Spread evenly. Yes, you will have extra liquid, and make sure to pour it all into the prepared dish as well.
- Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight.
- If you refrigerate the casserole for 30 minutes, preheat the oven during this time. If you refrigerate the casserole overnight make sure to take the casserole out of the fridge in the morning while you preheat the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake for 45 to 48 minutes or until the French Toast is nice and golden on top.
- Allow to cool off for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute maple syrup for honey
- The best bread to use for a French Toast bake: sourdough, brioche, challah, or even baguette. I would stay away from fresh bread and prioritize day-old bread.
- I like using sourdough or a medium size baguette. I have noticed the more core strength the bread has the better the French Toast bake is.
- Serve this French Toast Bake with fresh fruits, maple syrup drizzle, hot fudge or caramel, and/ or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Storage: If any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I haven’t tested
- Re-warm: I love rewarming my portion in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes.
Nutrition
French Toast Bake brings joy to breakfast tables everywhere with its comforting flavors, simple preparation, and endless customization options. So, rise and shine, gather your ingredients, and delight in this easy and yummy dish. Bon appétit!
