French Toast Bake: A Cozy, Make-Ahead Breakfast Everyone Will Love
If you love the rich, custardy flavor of classic French toast but don’t want to stand at the stove flipping slice after slice, this French Toast Bake is about to become your new favorite breakfast dish. Warm, golden, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, this baked version captures everything you adore about French toast — but in an easy, family-sized casserole form.
Perfect for brunches, holidays, or lazy Sunday mornings, it’s a recipe that feels indulgent yet comforting, all with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy and make-ahead: Assemble it the night before and simply bake in the morning.
Perfect for a crowd: Serves multiple people with no extra work.
Customizable: Add fruits, nuts, or even chocolate chips for a fun twist.
Warm and comforting: Every bite tastes like cozy weekend happiness.
Ingredients
1 loaf (about 12–14 oz) French bread or brioche, cut into cubes
6 large eggs
2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
1/2 cup heavy cream (or substitute with more milk)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons melted butter
Optional Toppings:
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup
Fresh berries or sliced bananas
Chopped nuts or pecans
Instructions
1. Prepare the Bread
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the dish. Day-old bread works best, as it soaks up the custard without becoming mushy.
2. Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and well combined.
3. Assemble the Bake
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing lightly to make sure each piece is coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours — or overnight for best results.
4. Bake It
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Drizzle melted butter on top, then bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crisp while the center is soft and custardy.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, and add your favorite toppings. Serve warm and watch it disappear in minutes!
Tips & Variations
Make it fruity: Layer sliced apples, blueberries, or raspberries between the bread cubes before baking.
Add crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for texture.
Sweeten it up: Swirl in a bit of cream cheese or add chocolate chips for a dessert-like version.
