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Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

4.8 from 5 reviews

This Brioche French Toast Casserole is a decadent and comforting breakfast dish featuring rich brioche bread soaked in a cinnamon-spiced custard and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunch, it offers a delightful combination of creamy texture and warm spices, topped with nuts and powdered sugar for an extra touch of indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

  • 1 loaf brioche bread (about 1416 ounces), cut into 1-inch slices

Custard Mixture

  • 8 large eggs
  • 12 ounce can evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Toppings

  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts or sliced almonds (optional)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Toppers: ground cinnamon, cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, honey, fresh fruit, whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish or similarly sized casserole dish to prevent sticking during baking.
  2. Prepare the Bread: Cut the brioche slices in half in a triangle shape or into 1-inch cubes. Arrange the pieces in a single layer in the baking dish, overlapping slightly if necessary.
  3. Make the Custard Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, evaporated milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, optional almond extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
  4. Combine Bread and Custard: Pour the custard evenly over the arranged brioche, ensuring each piece is well coated. Gently press the bread down to help it soak up the custard evenly.
  5. Add Nuts (Optional): Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds evenly over the top if using.
  6. Chill: Cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard thoroughly.
  7. Preheat Oven and Rest: When ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
  9. Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes. Dust with powdered sugar, slice, and serve warm with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

Notes

  • You can prepare the casserole the night before and bake it fresh in the morning for a hassle-free breakfast.
  • Using brioche bread adds richness, but other thick, soft breads like challah can also work well.
  • Adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar to your taste for a less or more sweet and spiced casserole.
  • Adding nuts is optional but adds a nice crunch and flavor contrast to the creamy texture.
  • Ensure the custard fully saturates the bread for the best custardy texture.
  • Serving with fresh fruit or whipped cream enhances the overall flavor experience.

Nutrition

Keywords: French toast casserole, brioche, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, baked French toast, holiday breakfast