Description
This French Toast Casserole combines a crunchy cinnamon-sugar top with a custardy center, making an easy and delicious make-ahead brunch dish. Perfect for feeding a crowd, it can be baked immediately or refrigerated overnight for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large loaf good-quality French loaf, sourdough, ciabatta, or challah (enough to yield 10 cups of chunks of bread)
- 1/2 cup (45g) chopped pecans
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- Zest from one medium orange (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons (40g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Place an oven rack in the center position. Slice the bread into 1-inch slices and then cut the slices into 1-inch cubes or tear them apart by hand, leaving the crusts on.
- Lightly grease a 2-quart or 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Add enough bread cubes to cover the bottom and sprinkle a few tablespoons of pecans over them. Continue layering bread chunks and pecans until all are used.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, orange zest (if using), 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over all the bread chunks in the baking dish. For ease, pour the mixture into a large measuring cup with a spout before pouring. At this stage, you can bake immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight for a make-ahead option.
- In another bowl, mix melted unsalted butter with dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Drizzle the butter and sugar mixture evenly over the bread chunks. Bake the casserole uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes. Bake for about 38 minutes for a balanced browning or longer if you prefer a crunchier top.
- Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle dried cranberries and dust powdered sugar on top. Serve with maple syrup on the side.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Category: Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 347
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg