French Toast Bake
Nummy dinner tonight!
French Toast
🍞 1 loaf Texas toast bread (or brioche, challah or French bread)
🥚 8 large eggs
🥛2 cups milk
🥛 ½ cup heavy cream
🍦1 tablespoon vanilla extract
💋 ¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon powdered pumpkin spice
Topping
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and scatter evenly in a greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, spices and sugar together, then pour evenly over bread.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Texas toast bread, I prepare and bake directly after.
To make the topping, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut butter into this mixture until crumbly. Place the topping in a small resealable plastic bag and refrigerate overnight as well.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Unwrap the baking dish and sprinkle the topping evenly over the bread.
Bake, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes, depending on how soft you like it.
French Toast Bake is a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish that combines the richness of eggs, milk, cream, and warm spices in a baked casserole form. This recipe uses Texas toast bread for its thick texture, but alternatives like brioche, challah, or French bread also work excellently, each adding their own unique flavor and softness. The custard mixture includes a harmonious blend of vanilla extract, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and sugar, which infuses the bread cubes during refrigeration for at least four hours or overnight, allowing the bread to soak up all the flavors. The slow absorption creates a rich and tender interior once baked. The topping is a key feature that elevates this dish beyond traditional French toast. Made from a mixture of flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cold unsalted butter, it forms a crumbly streusel that crisps beautifully in the oven, adding texture contrast to the soft baked custard underneath. When preparing the topping, cutting cold butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly ensures that it bakes into a light, crunchy crust rather than melting prematurely, preserving the pleasant crumble. Baking uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes gives plenty of time for the custard to set while allowing the topping to brown and crisp to the preferred softness. This French Toast Bake works well for various occasions—from a cozy family breakfast to a special brunch or an easy dinner option. Its make-ahead nature simplifies meal planning and allows for customization, such as adding fresh fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup when serving. Besides flavor and ease, this recipe's balanced nutrition from proteins, dairy, and carbs makes it a satisfying meal. Using seasonal spices like pumpkin spice can bring comforting autumnal notes, making it especially popular during fall. Looking for variations? Try different breads to explore texture differences or swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter version. Adding a pinch of nutmeg or substituting brown sugar with coconut sugar can tweak the taste profile to suit dietary preferences. Overall, this French Toast Bake recipe offers a delicious balance of creamy custard and sweet, crunchy topping, making it a great dish to enjoy any time of day.