🎉 Introduction
This French Toast Bake takes everything you love about classic French toast and transforms it into a warm, custardy casserole. Perfect for feeding a crowd, it’s layered with cubes of bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, baked until golden, and topped with fresh berries or bananas plus a drizzle of maple syrup.
It’s a no-fuss recipe you can prep the night before and pop in the oven in the morning — making it ideal for holiday breakfasts, Sunday brunch, or lazy weekends.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Knife and cutting board
🛒 Ingredients
🍓 Fruits & Vegetables:
- 1 cup fresh berries or sliced bananas (for topping)
🥚 Fresh Produce:
- 4 large eggs
🍯 Condiments:
- ½ cup maple syrup
🌿 Spices & Flavorings:
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
🥖 Breads & Pastries:
- 1 loaf day-old bread (brioche, challah, or French bread recommended)
🥛 Dairy Products:
- 2 cups milk
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 – Prepare the Bread
- Cut day-old bread into bite-sized cubes.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish and add bread cubes evenly.
Step 2 – Make the Custard Mixture
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Step 3 – Assemble the Bake
4. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently so bread absorbs the liquid.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best flavor).
Step 4 – Bake
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until golden and set in the center.
Step 5 – Serve
8. Let cool for 5 minutes.
9. Top with fresh berries or sliced bananas and extra maple syrup before serving.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6–8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes to overnight
- Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes (plus chilling if overnight)
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly, freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm in oven at 325°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions.
🥄 Variations
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle with pecans or almonds before baking.
- Creamy Upgrade: Swap half the milk with heavy cream for richer custard.
- Vegan Twist: Use plant-based milk, flax eggs, and dairy-free bread.
- Holiday Version: Add a handful of dried cranberries or a dusting of powdered sugar.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use fresh bread?
Day-old bread works best, but you can toast fresh bread cubes lightly in the oven first. - What’s the best bread for this?
Brioche or challah gives a soft, rich texture, while French bread is sturdier. - Can I make it ahead?
Yes! Assemble the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning. - Can I skip the maple syrup in the custard?
Yes, but add sweetness when serving with syrup or powdered sugar. - How do I prevent soggy texture?
Use sturdy bread and don’t oversoak. Baking uncovered also helps. - Can I add chocolate?
Absolutely — sprinkle chocolate chips between bread layers. - Can I halve the recipe?
Yes, bake in an 8×8 dish and reduce bake time to 25–30 minutes. - Can I use almond milk?
Yes, any milk (dairy or plant-based) works. - How do I know when it’s done?
The center should be set and not jiggly, and edges golden brown. - Can I serve this cold?
It’s best warm, but leftovers can be eaten chilled like bread pudding.
🏁 Conclusion
This French Toast Bake is a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that combines classic flavors with easy preparation. With its custardy center, golden edges, and sweet cinnamon-vanilla aroma, it’s the ultimate cozy breakfast or brunch dish.
French Toast Bake – A Sweet & Cozy Breakfast Delight
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut day-old bread into bite-sized cubes.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish and add bread cubes evenly.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently so bread absorbs the liquid.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best flavor).
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until golden and set in the center.
- Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Top with fresh berries or sliced bananas and extra maple syrup before serving.
Notes
Day-old bread works best, but you can toast fresh bread cubes lightly in the oven first. What’s the best bread for this?
Brioche or challah gives a soft, rich texture, while French bread is sturdier. Can I make it ahead?
Yes! Assemble the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning. Can I skip the maple syrup in the custard?
Yes, but add sweetness when serving with syrup or powdered sugar. How do I prevent soggy texture?
Use sturdy bread and don’t oversoak. Baking uncovered also helps. Can I add chocolate?
Absolutely — sprinkle chocolate chips between bread layers. Can I halve the recipe?
Yes, bake in an 8×8 dish and reduce bake time to 25–30 minutes. Can I use almond milk?
Yes, any milk (dairy or plant-based) works. How do I know when it’s done?
The center should be set and not jiggly, and edges golden brown. Can I serve this cold?
It’s best warm, but leftovers can be eaten chilled like bread pudding. 🏁 Conclusion
This French Toast Bake is a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that combines classic flavors with easy preparation. With its custardy center, golden edges, and sweet cinnamon-vanilla aroma, it’s the ultimate cozy breakfast or brunch dish.
