Description
This French Toast Bake is an incredibly easy and delicious casserole featuring cubed sourdough or French bread soaked in a rich mixture of eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla, topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. Perfect for a make-ahead breakfast or brunch, it offers a comforting blend of custardy softness and crunchy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf sourdough or French bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Bread: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking. Cut the sourdough or French bread into cubes, then evenly distribute the cubes throughout the pan.
- Mix and Pour the Custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Pour this custard evenly over the bread cubes in the pan. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least several hours or overnight to allow the bread to soak up the mixture.
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add in the cold, cubed butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. Optionally, add a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor. Store this topping in a sealed bag or container in the fridge until ready to use.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and evenly sprinkle the prepared crumb topping over the soaked bread. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes if you prefer a softer, more custardy bread pudding texture, or for 1 hour or more if you want a firmer texture with less liquid.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, scoop out individual portions of the French Toast Bake. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup before serving for added sweetness and presentation. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- This dish can be prepared the night before, making it an excellent grab-and-go breakfast option or perfect for entertaining guests in the morning.
- Using day-old bread or slightly stale bread can absorb the custard better without becoming overly soggy.
- Nutmeg in the topping is optional but adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements cinnamon.
- You can substitute whole milk for 2% or skim milk, but whole milk provides better richness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the bread and flour topping with gluten-free alternatives.
- Leftovers store well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
