Try This Fluffy French Toast Bake Recipe for Cozy Mornings

Mornings come alive with a delightful french toast bake that promises comfort and pure indulgence.

Crispy edges and soft, custardy centers create a breakfast masterpiece that feels like a warm hug.

Weekend brunch becomes magical when you slice into this dreamy casserole.

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and vanilla drift through your kitchen, tempting everyone nearby.

Maple syrup adds a golden shimmer across the pillowy layers of bread and egg mixture.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor in this crowd-pleasing dish that turns ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

You’ll love how simple yet impressive this breakfast centerpiece can be.

Dive into a slice and savor every delectable moment.

Tips for Golden French Toast Bake

• Bread Cube Consistency: Cut bread into uniform cubes to ensure even soaking and baking, preventing soggy or dry patches in the final dish.
• Cream Cheese Softening Trick: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cubing to achieve smooth, easy-to-fold texture without lumps.
• Moisture Magic: Refrigerate the prepared dish for 30 minutes before baking, allowing bread to fully absorb the rich custard mixture and enhance overall flavor.
• Golden Crust Secret: Uncover the dish during the last 15-20 minutes of baking to develop a beautiful golden-brown top with a delightful crispy texture.
• Serving Suggestion: Drizzle warm bread pudding with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar for an extra layer of sweetness and elegant presentation.

Sweet Styles to Try with French Toast Bake

• Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole: Replace French and white bread with gluten-free bread cubes, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Low-Sugar Berry Breakfast Bake: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener, add fresh mixed berries for natural sweetness and additional nutrition.
• Vegan Bread Pudding Alternative: Use coconut milk instead of whole milk, replace eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, swap cream cheese with silken tofu or cashew cream for creamy texture.
• Keto-Friendly Bread Pudding Remix: Use almond flour bread or keto-friendly cloud bread, replace sugar with erythritol, incorporate chopped pecans for added crunch and healthy fats.

Tasty Pairings for French Toast Bake

• Pair with Sweet Bourbon Sidecar: Complement the rich, creamy bread pudding with a bourbon-based cocktail featuring caramel and citrus notes that echo the dessert's warmth.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top the warm bread pudding with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, creating a luxurious temperature and flavor contrast that melts beautifully.
• Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Enhance the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors by serving a steaming chai latte alongside, which mirrors the dessert's warm spice profile and provides a comforting beverage experience.
• Recommend Caramel Macchiato: Drizzle a caramel macchiato beside the bread pudding to amplify the dessert's sweet undertones and provide a complementary coffee-based companion.

Storing Your French Toast Bake the Right Way

• Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container, cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure the container is sealed completely to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual portions or entire bread pudding in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months, labeling with date and contents to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place bread pudding in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil during last 5 minutes to restore crispy top texture.

All About French Toast Bake – FAQs

• Why is it important to use both French and white bread?

Using two types of bread adds complexity to texture and flavor. French bread provides a crusty exterior, while white bread ensures a soft, custardy interior.

• Can I use low-fat milk instead of whole milk and heavy cream?

No, whole milk and heavy cream create a rich, luxurious custard. Low-fat milk will result in a less creamy and less flavorful bread pudding.

• How do I know when the bread pudding is perfectly baked?

Look for a golden brown top with slightly crispy edges. The center should be set but still slightly jiggly, indicating a perfect custard consistency.

Why You’ll Love French Toast Bake Every Time

• Customize with Creativity: Easily adapt the recipe by adding personal touches like chocolate chips, berries, or nuts to make the bread pudding uniquely yours.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a classic dessert that satisfies all ages, from kids to grandparents, with its creamy texture and warm, inviting flavors.
• Prep-Ahead Perfection: Assemble the dish in advance and refrigerate, making it ideal for stress-free entertaining or weekend breakfast gatherings.
• Indulgent Yet Simple: Craft a luxurious-tasting dessert with basic ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques that even novice bakers can master.

Ingredients for French Toast Bake Perfection

• French Bread, White Bread: Bread provides the foundational texture and structure for this classic bread pudding.

• Eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients and create a rich, smooth custard.
• Whole Milk, Heavy Cream: These dairy products add creaminess and luxurious mouthfeel to the pudding.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sugars provide sweetness and help caramelize the top of the dessert.
• Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a tangy, creamy element that creates delightful pockets of richness.

• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds depth and warm aromatic notes to the dessert.
• Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg: These spices contribute warm, comforting flavors typical of bread pudding.
• Salt: Salt balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the dish.
• Butter: Butter creates a golden, crispy top and adds richness.
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup provides a sweet, classic finishing drizzle.
• Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar adds a delicate sweet dusting and visual appeal.

How to Make French Toast Bake with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Heat the oven to a cozy 350°F. Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to ensure nothing sticks.

Step 2: Chop Bread Into Cubes

Slice French bread and white bread into chunky, roughly equal-sized cubes. Consistent sizing helps create perfect texture throughout the dish.

Step 3: Create Creamy Custard Base

• Eggs
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Blend until the mixture becomes silky smooth and fully combined.

Step 4: Incorporate Cream Cheese

Let cream cheese soften at room temperature. Cut into small cubes and gently fold into the egg mixture. This creates delightful creamy pockets throughout the dish.

Step 5: Layer Bread Cubes

Spread bread cubes evenly across the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform base layer.

Step 6: Saturate Bread With Custard

Pour the egg and cream cheese mixture over bread cubes. Ensure every piece gets completely soaked. Use a spatula to gently press down, helping bread absorb the liquid.

Step 7: Add Butter Topping

Dot the surface with small butter pieces. These will create a rich, golden, crispy crust during baking.

Step 8: Chill and Soak

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing bread to fully absorb the custard mixture.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Remove from refrigerator and bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden brown with a slightly crispy texture.

Step 10: Serve and Garnish

Remove from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes. Drizzle with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm and enjoy the decadent breakfast treat.

French Toast Bake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15-20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet mornings welcome this French Toast Bake, a delightful breakfast casserole that blends creamy custard with pillowy bread layers. Maple syrup and cinnamon elevate this comforting dish, ensuring pure breakfast bliss when you gather around the table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread:

• 1 loaf french bread
• 6 thick slices white bread

Dairy and Eggs:

• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tbsp butter

Sweeteners and Spices:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt

Toppings (Optional):

• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Slice the French bread and white bread into thick, uniform cubes, ensuring roughly equal-sized pieces for consistent baking.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
4. Soften the cream cheese at room temperature, then cut into small cubes and gently fold into the egg mixture, creating pockets of creamy texture throughout.
5. Arrange the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish, distributing them evenly to create a uniform layer.
6. Pour the egg and cream cheese mixture over the bread, making sure to saturate all the bread cubes completely. Gently press down with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
7. Dot the top with small pieces of butter, which will create a rich, golden crust during baking.
8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture.
9. Remove from refrigerator and bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
10. Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Drizzle with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar before serving warm.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for the best texture, as it absorbs the custard mixture more effectively without becoming overly soggy.
• Cream Cheese Tip: Ensure cream cheese is softened completely to blend smoothly into the egg mixture, preventing unwanted lumps in the final dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the French toast bake the night before and refrigerate overnight for an even more intensified flavor and easier morning preparation.
• Dietary Modifications: Swap whole milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version, and use gluten-free bread to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg