Indulge in the luxurious fusion of buttery brioche, velvety custard, and a warm cinnamon and vanilla embrace with my Brioche French Toast Casserole recipe. A make-ahead twist on a classic breakfast favorite that transforms any occasion into a celebration.
Brioche French Toast Casserole is a sumptuous and indulgent dish that elevates the classic French toast to a whole new level, making it an ideal centerpiece for special holiday breakfasts or leisurely brunch gatherings. The rich and buttery brioche bread, soaked in a custard made from eggs, milk, and cream, creates a decadent harmony of flavors and textures. This delightful casserole offers a convenient twist to traditional French toast, allowing for easy preparation ahead of time, making it perfect for festive occasions when you want to spend more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen.
The irresistible aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through the air as it bakes adds a touch of warmth to holiday mornings, making this dish not just a breakfast but a cherished tradition, creating lasting memories around the table. Whether adorned with a dusting of powdered sugar, drizzled with maple syrup, or topped with vibrant fresh berries, this Brioche French Toast Casserole is certain to become a cherished favorite, elevating your special occasions with a touch of culinary delight.
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Why this Recipe Works
Elevated Flavor and Texture – The use of brioche bread imparts a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, delicate texture, taking traditional French toast to a new level of indulgence.
Effortless Entertaining – Perfect for special occasions, this casserole allows you to prepare a delicious breakfast the night before, giving you more time to enjoy the festivities with family and friends.
Versatile Customization – Brioche French Toast Casserole is highly customizable. Whether you prefer a classic approach or want to experiment with different flavors and toppings, this recipe allows you to tailor it to your taste, making it a versatile and beloved dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Bread – I like to use a loaf of brioche bread for this recipe. The butteriness of the bread make this stand out!
- Eggs – You will need a half dozen eggs to create a thick custard base for this baked french toast.
- Dairy – I use a mix of 2% milk and heavy cream.
- Sugar – I like to use light brown sugar that is blended in the custard before mixing in with the bread.
- Spices – A combination of cinnamon and nutmeg is what brings the french toast flavors together.
- Vanilla – I love to use a tablespoon of vanilla extract in a French toast casserole. It adds a rich and aromatic depth of flavor, elevating the dish to a delightful and indulgent breakfast experience.
How to Make French Toast Casserole
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cut the brioche bread into cubes. You can use a day-old brioche for better absorption of the egg mixture.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix together ensuring that the sugar is well dissolved.
Grease a baking dish and place the brioche cubes in it. Pour the egg mixture over the brioche, making sure all the pieces are well-coated. Allow it to sit for about 15-20 minutes, giving the bread a chance to absorb the liquid.
Bake the casserole, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Dust the top with powder sugar, then slice it into squares, and serve warm with maple syrup.
FAQs
While brioche adds a rich and buttery flavor, you can experiment with other bread types like challah or French bread. Ensure it’s slightly stale for better absorption.
Yes, you can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it. Allow it to come to room temperature before baking for even cooking.
Maple syrup is a classic choice, but you can also add a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or fresh berries for added freshness.
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat individual portions in the oven for a few minutes for a quick and delicious breakfast.
Consider adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to make the casserole even more decadent. Or you can create a streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixed with cold pieces of butter to create a decadent topping. Add the topping before you bake.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks whenever I make french toast casserole with brioche.
- Use Day-Old Brioche: Opt for day-old brioche for better absorption of the egg mixture. The slightly stale bread helps prevent the casserole from becoming too mushy.
- Allow for Soaking Time: Let the brioche cubes soak in the egg mixture for at least 15-20 minutes before baking. This ensures that the bread absorbs the custard, resulting in a moist and flavorful casserole.
- Customize the Flavor: Experiment with flavors by adding a dash of nutmeg, orange zest, or a sprinkle of your favorite spices to the egg mixture. This allows you to tailor the casserole to your taste preferences.
- Prevent Over-Browning: I have never had this issue with my stove. But every stove is different. If you often experience your food browning too quickly I will advise you to cover the casserole with foil for the first half of the baking time to prevent excessive browning. Remove the foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking to achieve a golden brown top.
- Serve Fresh and Warm: Brioche French Toast Casserole is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
- Overnight: If preparing ahead, you can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it. Bring it to room temperature before baking for optimal results.
Sides for French Toast
Not sure what sides go with french toast? Here are a few of my favorite recommendations that pair perfectly.
If you make this french toast casserole with brioche recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Brioche French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Silicone Spatula
- 9 x 13 Baking Dish
- Oven
Ingredients
- Cooking Spray
- 16 ounces Brioche Loaf cut into cubes
- 6 Eggs
- 1 cup 2% Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
- ⅕ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 tablespoon Powder Sugar for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the brioche bread into cubes. You can use a day-old brioche for better absorption of the egg mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Ensure that the sugar is well dissolved.
- Grease a baking dish and place the brioche cubes in it. Pour the egg mixture over the brioche, making sure all the pieces are well-coated. Allow it to sit for about 15-20 minutes, giving the bread a chance to absorb the liquid.
- Bake the casserole, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Dust the top with powder sugar, then slice it into squares, and serve warm with maple syrup.
Notes
- Make Ahead – You can prepare this recipe the night before. Let the casserole sit out for a half hour prior to baking the next morning.
- How to tell if it’s done – You can insert a knife in the center, and if it comes out clean, it’s done.
- Old Bread – Opt for day-old or a few days old brioche for better absorption of the egg mixture. The slightly stale bread helps prevent the casserole from becoming too mushy.
steph@stephsbitebybite
All I need is a fork and some coffee!
Katie
ha ha… yes! Wish I was making this for breakfast tomorrow.
patsy
This is something that would appeal to my family and so easy to put together!
Katie
Thanks Patsy! I love that its a small batch recipe. Every other recipe out there is for a massive amount of french toast casserole. Not ideal for a small family!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
I love how simple and perfect this baked french toast casserole is! Must make for brunch!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
I love that this baked french toast makes a small batch! Perfect for when I want to make it for just my husband and myself!
Katie
Yes! That’s what I’m all about –small batch and simple!
Monet
Yay for sleep! My little one is 15 months old and she still doesn’t sleep through the night. I’ve gotten used to it though! And this french toast casserole looks so very good!
Katie
LOL Don’t tell me that Monet! I will say that he hasn’t repeated the full night sleep thing since I made the french toast! lol.