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french toast casserole
TahiraJaved

Fluffy French Toast Casserole

This irresistible French toast casserole features soft, custardy bread soaked in a rich cinnamon-vanilla mixture and baked to golden perfection. Warm, fluffy, and deliciously comforting, it's a crowd-pleasing breakfast for cozy mornings, weekend brunches, and family gatherings!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Soaking, Cooling and Resting 4 hours 50 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Bread
  • 1 loaf (16 oz) brioche or challah cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter for greasing the dish
For the Custard
  • 8 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 2 tsp alcohol free vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
For the Pecan Streusel
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter cubed
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
For Serving
  • Warm maple syrup
  • Powdered sugar
  • Fresh berries

Equipment

  • 9 by 13 inch baking dish bakes the casserole in an even layer
  • Rimmed baking sheets toast the bread cubes in a single layer
  • Large whisk blends the custard until smooth and pale
  • Silicone spatula presses the bread into the custard without crushing it
  • Aluminum foil traps steam so the middle sets before the top browns
  • Instant read thermometer confirms the center reaches 165°F

Method
 

  1. Spread the cubes on two baking sheets and bake at 300°F for 15 minutes, until dry and lightly toasted, then cool for 10 minutes. The cubes should feel crisp on the outside and still soft inside.
  2. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt for 1 minute, until smooth with no streaks of yolk or lumps of sugar.
  3. Place the cooled cubes in the greased dish, pour the custard evenly over the top, and press the bread gently into the liquid with a spatula. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Whisk the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea sized pieces, and stir in the pecans. Cover and refrigerate until baking.
  5. Take the dish out of the fridge for 30 minutes while the oven heats to 350°F (175°C). Use a baking dish rated for this temperature change and follow its manufacturer’s instructions; a short counter rest does not guarantee glass is safe from thermal shock.
  6. Remove the plastic wrap, cover the dish with foil, and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes, until the edges look set and the center is still loose.
  7. Remove the foil, sprinkle on the streusel, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes more, until the top is deep golden, a knife in the center comes out clean, and the middle reads 165°F. Rest for 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup.
  8. Toast the bread cubes and add the streusel only after the covered bake; fresh bread turns gummy, and early streusel sinks into the custard.

Notes

  • Use brioche or challah for the richest texture.
  • Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and keep the streusel separate.
  • Rest the casserole for 10 minutes so the squares hold together.
Storage: Refrigerate covered up to 4 days, or freeze baked squares up to 2 months.
Timing includes 15 minutes to toast the bread, 10 minutes to cool it, at least 4 hours soaking, 30 minutes before baking, and a 10-minute final rest. Follow your baking dish manufacturer’s temperature-change guidance.
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