Crunchy on top with a creamy custardy bottom, this French toast casserole is as easy as it is delicious. It's the perfect make ahead breakfast for the holidays or the weekend and is a total crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
For the French Toast
16ouncescrusty French breadcut into 1-inch cubes
8large eggswell beaten
2cupswhole milk
1cupheavy cream
1/2cupgranulated sugar
1/2cuplight brown sugarpacked
1Tablespoonvanilla extract
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
1/2teaspoonsalt
For the Topping
1/4cupunsalted buttermelted
1/4cuplight brown sugarpacked
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
confectioners' sugarfor serving
maple syrupfor serving
Instructions
Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Place the cubed bread into the baking dish, and set aside.
Place the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk together until well combined. Some of the cinnamon may float on top, but that's okay.
Pour the custard over the bread cubes. Take a large spoon and press the bread into the custard so it starts to soak it up. Cover the dish and place it in the fridge to soak for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle this mixture all over the top of the casserole.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the tin foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool for 15 minutes. Slice and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup. Feel free to add more of your favorite toppings, too.
Notes
Crusty French bread is perfect for this recipe, but feel free to use brioche, challah, sourdough, white bread, or Texas toast. Just make sure the amount of bread is the same, that it's cubed the same way, and that it's dry.
You can use all milk or half and half in place of the heavy cream. However, the heavy cream adds more richness.
Add freshly grated nutmeg to the custard for a festive holiday twist.
Other topping ideas: whipped cream, fresh berries, apple pie filling, caramel sauce, warm vanilla sauce, preserves, ice cream, or toasted nuts.
Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave.