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
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Slice the French bread and white bread into thick, uniform cubes, ensuring roughly equal-sized pieces for consistent baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Arrange the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish, distributing them evenly to create a uniform layer.
- 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.
- Dot the top with small pieces of butter, which will create a rich, golden crust during baking.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture.
- 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.
- 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