Weekend mornings deserve a touch of decadence, and what's more luxurious than a Brioche French Toast Casserole? Imagine fluffy brioche bread, soaked in a creamy custard infused with vanilla and cinnamon, then baked to golden perfection.
This easy-to-make breakfast casserole is an delicious indulgence for the whole family.
![maple syrup poured over a serving of french toast casserole.](https://smellslikedelish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/brioche-french-toast-casserole-vertical-4.jpg)
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Forget the tedious process of making individual French toast. This casserole takes the prep time out of the equation, allowing you to whip up a gourmet breakfast while still enjoying your morning coffee.
- Effortless entertaining: This casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd, eliminating the stress of cooking individual portions.
- Warm and comforting: The combination of rich, buttery brioche, creamy custard, and caramelized edges creates a delightful contrast of flavors.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: This casserole is perfect for busy mornings or planned gatherings. Simply assemble it the night before, refrigerate it, and bake it fresh in the morning, saving you valuable time and effort.
Ingredients You'll Need
While this breakfast casserole traditionally features rich brioche bread, feel free to experiment with Challah or French bread for a slightly different texture. For a touch of seasonal warmth, swap the cinnamon for apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice blends, adding a delightful depth of flavor.
This simple, home style casserole combines eggs, milk, cream, and vanilla extract to create a custard base that soaks into the bread, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish similar to a bread pudding. It's the perfect way to enjoy a comforting and satisfying breakfast or brunch, and can easily be used as a warm dessert on a chill evening.
- Brioche Bread: The star of the show! Its rich, eggy flavor and airy texture are unmatched, creating a heavenly base for the casserole.
- Eggs and Milk: The foundation of the custard, binding everything together and adding richness.
- Vanilla Extract and Cinnamon: The aromatic duo that infuses the casserole with warm, comforting flavors.
- Sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the richness and complement the fruit toppings.
- Maple Syrup or Powdered Sugar: The finishing touch, offering a delightful drizzle of sweetness.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Brioche French Toast Casserole
Here's a simple, step-by-step guide to baking this Brioche French Toast Casserole masterpiece. With just a few easy steps, you'll be enjoying this delightful breakfast treat in no time.
Prep The Bread
- Cut the bread into 1" chunks or cubes and spread them out evenly in an empty 21/2 quart casserole.
Whisk The Custard
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the custard over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
Top With The Cinnamon Brown Sugar
- Prepare the topping mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. and sprinkle the casserole top with the mixture.
- Let casserole sit for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, allowing the bread to absorb the custard.
Soak and Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the baking dish with foil and set in the center of the oven.
- Bake the casserole for 20 minutes covered. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy.
- Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this brioche French toast breakfast casserole.
- Fold in chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter for an extra decadent treat.
- Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Bake in the morning for a hassle-free breakfast.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this family favorite recipe:
- Use day-old brioche bread for the best texture – it absorbs the custard better without becoming soggy.
- If your casserole seems dry after baking, cover it loosely with foil for the last few minutes to trap moisture.
- For a richer flavor, try soaking the bread cubes in a mixture of milk and coffee or brandy before adding the custard.
Serving Suggestions
Indulge this weekend with this Brioche French Toast Casserole. Its simplicity and comforting flavors make it a recipe you'll return to time and again. Serve this French toast breakfast with a bowl of fresh cut fruit for a complete brunch style treat!
Related Recipes
- Rum Raisin Bread Pudding
- Maple Pumpkin Bread Pudding
- Maple Glazed Ham
- Warm Brussel Sprout Salad w Maple Dressing
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
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Storage and Reheating
- Store the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 300F for about 20 - 25 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute regular bread like challah or French bread for brioche.
Half & half and even milk will work, the casserole just won't be quite as rich. Even evaporated milk is fine.
Absolutely! Almond milk, oat milk, or any other dairy-free alternative will work just fine.
More Delish Ideas
Brioche French Toast Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Brioche French Toast Casserole
- 24 oz Brioche day old, torn into chunks
- 7 large Eggs
- ⅔ cup Heavy Cream or half & half, milk, or non dairy milk
- 1½ teaspoon Cinnamon ground
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg ground
- ½ cup Brown sugar dark preferably
- 1½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
For The Brown Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- ¼ cup Brown sugar any
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon ground
- 3 tablespoon Butter cold
Instructions
- Cut the bread into 1" chunks or cubes and spread them out evenly in an empty 21/2 quart casserole.24 oz Brioche
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large mixing bowl.7 large Eggs, ⅔ cup Heavy Cream, 1½ teaspoon Cinnamon, ½ teaspoon Nutmeg, 1½ teaspoon Vanilla extract, ½ cup Brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Pour the custard over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
- Prepare the topping by mixing the additional brown sugar and cinnamon together in small mixing bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse.¼ cup Brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, 3 tablespoon Butter
- Sprinkle the brown sugar cinnamon topping mixture over the top of the casserole.
- Let casserole sit for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, allowing the bread to absorb the custard.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the baking dish with foil and set in the center of the oven.
- Bake the casserole for 20 minutes covered. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy.
- Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use day-old brioche bread for the best texture – it absorbs the custard better without becoming soggy.
- If your casserole seems dry after baking, cover it loosely with foil for the last few minutes to trap moisture.
- For a richer flavor, try soaking the bread cubes in a mixture of milk and coffee or brandy before adding the custard.
- For a lighter version, use low fat milk in place of the heavy cream.
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