Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe
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.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes to overnight (including soaking time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Bread
- 1 loaf brioche bread (about 14–16 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
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish or similarly sized casserole dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Nuts (Optional): Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds evenly over the top if using.
- 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.
- 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).
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Keywords: French toast casserole, brioche, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, baked French toast, holiday breakfast