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    Home » Recipes » French Toast Bake

    French Toast Bake

    May 6, 2019

    291 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    French toast has gotten a makeover! This overnight french toast casserole uses challah bread marinated in a cinnamon spiced milk mixture, then baked in the morning and topped with fresh berries. This easy french toast bake recipe makes breakfast so easy and delicious!

    over head shot of french toast casserole with berries in a baking dish with section missing, a plate with a serving of french toast, maple syrup container, and powdered sugar cup
    uncut challah bread on a wooden cutting board

    For this recipe I utilized challah bread. It has a sweet and buttery taste, that soaks up so much flavor. I have also made this recipe with brioche as well. You’ll want the bread to be a day or so old, so it’s not so soft. This will give you a better texture for the casserole.

    challah bread cut in 1 inch squares in a casserole dish overhead shot

    Cut the bread into slices, then cut into 1 inch cubes. I love keeping the crust on because it crisps up when you bake it.

    white bowl with eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest, unmixed

    Now for the flavor! In a bowl you’re going to whisk together: eggs, milk, half and half, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. This is what the challah is going to soak up and make every bite so delicious!

    microplane with orange zest shavings and orange in hand with white bowl underneath

    I like to add orange zest to give it a nice citrus flavor. I use my microplane to easily gather the zest, then dump into the liquid.

    white bowl with frothy mixed cream

    Whisk until all the eggs are beaten and a light foam forms on top. You want to ensure all of the eggs are fully whisked. I choose to transfer it to a 32oz measuring cup with a spout, so I don’t make a mess when pouring over the bread.

    cut challah bread with french toast liquid in a casserole dish

    Evenly pour the egg mixture over the bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. This allows the bread to soak up the maximum amount of flavor. If you forget to soak overnight, give it at least 20-30 minutes to soak in the morning before baking.

    small bowl with brown sugar, soft butter cubes, and all purpose flour

    The next morning, before putting it in the oven I make a quick cinnamon sugar topping. This part is optional, but you combine brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and cold squares of butter. Mix with your hands and it will turn into a crumble. This will melt over the top of the bread pieces while baking.

    over head shot of french toast casserole after baking in oven with golden brown top

    Bake for an hour uncovered. At 45 minutes, I check to make sure the top isn’t burning. If you see the top is getting too dark, then tent some aluminum foil over the top for the final 15 minutes.

    overhead shot of french toast casserole topped with blueberries and raspberries in a baking dish

    Remove from the oven and top with your favorite berries! I used blueberries and raspberries.

    front photo of french toast casserole in casserole dish with stream of maple syrup dripping into dish

    I also enjoy topping it with some powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup!

    slice of french toast bake with blueberries and raspberries and maple syrup in the background

    This french toast bake is the perfect breakfast/brunch dish for feeding multiple people and brings french toast to another level. Enjoy!

    Things you’ll need: Rectangular baking dish, large bowl for mixing eggs, whisk, small bowl for crumble, microplane for orange, measuring cups/spoons, aluminum foil.

    french toast casserole with berries and maple syrup and powdered sugar

    French Toast Bake

    French Toast Casserole with overnight soaked challah, then baked to perfection and topped with fresh berries. The perfect breakfast/brunch to feed a crowd!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: breakfast, breakfast casserole, brunch, french toast, french toast bake, french toast casserole
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Inactive Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 9 hours 20 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 573kcal
    Author: Stephanie
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz loaf of day old Challah bread sliced into 1-inch pieces
    • 2 cups milk
    • ½ cup half & half
    • 8 eggs
    • ¼ + ¼ cup brown sugar packed
    • ½ tbsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp orange zest grated
    • ½ tsp kosher salt
    • 1+1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp nutmeg
    • â…“ cup all purpose flour
    • 4 tbsp unsalted cold butter cut into small cubes
    • 6 oz fresh blueberries
    • 6 oz fresh raspberries

    Optional toppings:

    • Maple syrup
    • Powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Grease a 13×9 baking dish and spread your cut bread inside.
    • In a large bowl whisk together: milk, half & half, eggs, ¼ cup brown sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, kosher salt, nutmeg, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Ensure all eggs are fully whisked.
    • Carefully pour over the top of the bread, evenly distributing over the pieces on top. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove bread from refrigerator.
    • In a small bowl combine the flour, cold butter, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ¼ cup brown sugar. Mix with your finger tips until combined and crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the bread.
    • Place in the oven and bake for 60 minutes. After 45 minutes if the top begins to burn, tent the top with some aluminum foil for the remaining duration.
    • Remove from oven, the top should be crisp and the middle spongey, but not wet. Top with the fresh berries and optional powdered sugar. Serve with maple syrup.

    Notes

    • If you cannot refrigerate the bread overnight, allow minimum 20 minutes for bread to soak. (The longer the better for flavor purposes)
    • You can substitute brioche for challah bread

    Nutrition

    Calories: 573kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 534mg | Potassium: 411mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 642IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 361mg | Iron: 5mg
    Made this recipe?Mention @GirlWithTheIronCast or tag #girlwiththeironcast!
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    291 shares

    Originally Published: May 6, 2019 Post Updated: October 11, 2022 Filed Under: Baking, Breakfast, Dessert, Fall Favorites, Recipes, Vegetarian, Winter Comfort Tagged With: Berries, Oranges

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats

      May 06, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      French toast without having to stand at the stove for a gajillion years? Yes please.

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        May 06, 2019 at 5:05 pm

        It’s so nice to do everything the night before, then just pop it in the oven in the morning!

        Reply

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