Best French Toast Casserole
User Reviews
4.9
Best French Toast Casserole
Description
This French Toast Casserole uses thick Texas toast slices arranged in layers within a pan, each layer soaked carefully with a custard mix combining eggs, milk, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Brown sugar mixed with cinnamon is sprinkled between layers, imparting warm spice and caramelized sweetness once baked. Melted butter and additional brown sugar form a base layer that adds a gooey texture beneath the bread. Gradual brushing of the custard over the slices helps even soaking without pooling.
The baking transforms the bread into a soft yet structured casserole with a sweet cinnamon crust. The combination of vanilla and almond extracts enriches the flavor without overpowering, while optional toppings like powdered sugar, real maple syrup, or fresh berries complement the casserole’s sweetness. This dish suits serving directly from the baking pan for brunch gatherings.
Allowing the casserole to soak overnight improves custard absorption and texture, though a minimum 35 minutes at room temperature is sufficient if time is short. Leftovers store well refrigerated and reheat best in the oven to restore texture. The recipe suggests rating feedback for improvements and provides options for substitutions and serving ideas.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter melted (1 stick, salted
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 loaf Texas toast Not frozen; found in fresh sliced bread aisle
- 4 large egg
- 1 ½ cup milk whole or low-fat
- 1 TB vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ⅛ tsp table salt
Cinnamon sugar mixture
- 2 TB light brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional toppings
- powdered sugar real maple syrup, fresh berries
Instructions
- Use hand whisk to combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until fully incorporated. Mixture should be about 2 3/4 cup total. Set aside.
- Put butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until well incorporated. Use rubber spatula to evenly press mixture into bottom of a greased 9×13 pan, spreading mixture evenly.
- Lay a single layer of Texas Toast in pan (about 6 whole slices), cutting additional pieces to fill pan bottom, if needed. Very gradually and slowly brush 1 cup of egg mixture evenly over every slice of bread, taking care to saturate edges - do not hastily pour egg mixture or all of it will end up at the bottom.
- Sprinkle evenly with most of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture, reserving about 2 tsp of the mixture for topping. Repeat with second layer, using another 6 slices or so of bread. Slowly brush remaining egg mixture over that layer, again paying special attention to the edges. Ensure all slices are well saturated. End with sprinkling of remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Cover tightly and chill overnight in fridge, or at least long enough for custard to thoroughly soak bread.
- Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Let casserole rest at room temp while oven preheats. Bake for 40-45 minutes, covered for the first 30 minutes, and uncovered after that.Be sure to scrape up all the bottom sticky goodness when serving. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Notes
- Soak the casserole overnight for best texture; at minimum, soak 35 minutes at room temperature before baking.
- French bread casserole is best served fresh but can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain texture.
- Use real maple syrup and fresh berries as optional toppings to add freshness and balanced sweetness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 115 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 115kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 52mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 76mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 61mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 226IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 0.01mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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