This French toast casserole recipe is easy breakfast casserole made with brioche, a cinnamon vanilla custard, and a buttery brown sugar layer on the bottom. It has all the flavors of classic French toast and is perfect for weekends, holiday mornings, or anytime you want an easy breakfast.
This French Toast Bake is The Best for Busy Mornings
Like my sheet pan pancakes, ever since I discovered baked french toast is an option, I don’t think I can go back to flipping individual slices when I can make this recipe faster for a crowd or a brunch.
It’s so easy to whip up with simple ingredients and ready to top with maple syrup and a favorite berry. One of my other favorite toppings is drizzling with warmed up peanut butter and banana slices!
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Make-Ahead Tips
If using Brioche bread like I did, I would bake this casserole right away after assembling it. Since it’s a softer bread, letting it sit overnight can make it more soggy. You can prep the bread and whisk together the custard ingredients ahead of time, then store them separately in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it.
If you’d like to prep an overnight casserole, use French or Italian bread instead because they are heartier breads that can withstand soaking in the custard longer. Prep it all, cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
Ingredients Needed
The complete list of ingredients with amounts are listed in the full recipe card below.
- Brown sugar – I used Light brown sugar but dark is fine too.
- Butter – Use salted or unsalted.
- Brioche bread – Cut into roughly 1-inch pieces. Sourdough, Italian or French bread can also be used. Challah bread another good choice if you are baking it right away.
- Milk – I use whole milk but use any milk honestly. Heavy cream is good too.
- Eggs
- Ground cinnamon – you can add a pinch of nutmeg too if you’d like.
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sugar, optional – Sprinkle over the top after baking.
Variations to Try
1. Swap brioche for French bread or Italian bread.
2. Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the top before baking.
3. Add sliced bananas or blueberries before bakig
4. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top just before serving.
How to Make Baked French Toast Casserole
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350° F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Using a knife, cut the bread into approximately 1-inch pieces and set them aside.
Step 3: In a medium mixing bowl, add the milk, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and whisk until the eggs are smooth. Some like to whisk the eggs first and then stir in the other ingredients. Feel free to do it either way.
Step 4: In a small saucepan, add the butter and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring as the butter melts. Bring to a slow boil and cook for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
Step 5: Pour the brown sugar and butter mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 6: Place the bread cubes evenly over the brown sugar layer.
Step 7: Then slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread. Do not stir. You want that yummy butter layer to stay on the bottom. If needed, gently press some of the bread down so the pieces are coated.
Step 8: Bake until golden brown and the center is set.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired. Let it rest briefly before serving.
If you love this French Toast Casserole, make these other popular breakfast recipes next:
- Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
- Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
- Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
- Bisquick Quiche
- Red Velvet Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Homemade Crepes
If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate it in the recipe card. We would love for you to join us and over 350,000 followers on Facebook and Pinterest. For more behind the scenes and everyday life, follow me on Instagram and TikTok too!
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 14- ounce Brioche loaf cut into approx. 1 inch pieces
- 2 cups milk
- 6 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and grease a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- With a knife, slice the bread into 1 inch pieces and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add the milk, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Whisk together completely.
- In a small pot, add the butter and brown sugar and heat over medium heat until melted and reaches a low boil. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Pour the butter mixture into the greased dish then place the bread evenly on top of the mixture.
- Next, pour the egg mixture evenly overtop of the bread. Do NOT stir. Gently press the bread into the mixture if you need to make sure it is coated.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Leave a Reply