Oven Baked French Toast Recipe (w/ Brown Butter Caramel + Creamy Eggnog Sauce)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
8 -12
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Calories
338 kcal
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Cuisine
International, Vegan
Oven Baked French Toast Recipe (w/ Brown Butter Caramel + Creamy Eggnog Sauce)
Description
The Oven Baked French Toast is made by layering a caramel base of brown butter and brown sugar in a casserole dish, then arranging slices of soft bread such as challah or brioche on top. The bread is soaked with a custard made from eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugars, salt, and vanilla, which bakes to a tender, custardy consistency. The accompanying eggnog sauce is a creamy mixture of eggnog, heavy cream, sugar, butter, flour, nutmeg, and salt, cooked until thickened to provide a spiced and smooth topping. The toasted cinnamon sugar dust adds a finishing touch.
The creamy texture of the custard contrasts with the caramelized, buttery layer beneath, while the eggnog sauce adds richness and warmth from spices like nutmeg. This layered preparation produces a French toast bake that combines soft, soaked bread and a lightly crisp caramel crust.
This dish serves as a comforting brunch centerpiece or holiday breakfast item and can be enhanced with various toppings such as nuts, chocolate chips, or fruit according to preference.
Storing the baked French toast in the refrigerator tightly covered keeps it fresh for up to five days, or it can be frozen for up to three months. Thawing overnight before reheating maintains the texture and flavor. Alternative breads like croissants or gluten-free options can be used as substitutes.
Ingredients
For Brown Butter Caramel:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
For French Toast Bake:
- ½ soft bread challah, brioche, etc, loaf
- ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tbsp
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 ¼ cup milk whole
- 5 egg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsp vanilla
For Eggnog Sauce:
- ½ cup egg nog plant-based
- ½ cup heavy cream or plant-based milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted
- 1 ½ tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp nutmeg grated, fresh
- ½ tsp salt
For Cinnamon Sugar Dust:
- ½ cup icing sugar
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- To brown the butter: in a medium-sized pot add the butter, and stir constantly over high heat. In a few minutes, the butter will foam up, cooking off any water content. Continue stirring, waiting for it to foam up a second time. After it foams the second time, the butter will begin to change color from golden to amber to chestnut red to brown. Once it contains mainly dark brown color, immediately transfer to a heat-safe container, and allow to cool.
- Combine the brown sugar with the butter and evenly spread it on the bottom of a 9x13 in casserole dish.
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Cut your slices of bread in half (width-wise), saving the round top halves.
- Arrange the pieces of bread (on top of the caramel layer) in two lines across the casserole dish, lightly fanning them like dominos. Set aside while you prepare the custard filling.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine eggs, cream, milk, sugars, salt, and vanilla. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Pour the egg custard mixture over the casserole dish. Lightly push the tops of the bread to ensure being coated with custard.
- Bake for 32 - 35 minutes, until the top is browned and the custard is set.
- While the French Toast bakes, prepare the Eggnog Sauce. In a small pot, heat + combine the eggnog, milk, sugar, and butter, and bring it to a simmer. In a small dish, whisk together the flour and 2 – 3 tbsp of eggnog until smooth. Add the pot and bring the sauce to a rolling boil to thicken. Transfer immediately to a bowl to cool.
- Once the French Toast Bake is done, serve immediately with cinnamon sugar dust and Eggnog Sauce.
Notes
- Soft breads like brioche, challah, or croissants work well, including gluten-free options.
- You can add mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or fruit to customize the baked French toast.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for up to three months.
- For best texture when reheating frozen portions, thaw overnight before warming.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8-12
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 12 | |
| Calories | 338kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 40.4g | 13% |
| Protein | 5.2g | 10% |
| Fat | 19.6g | 30% |
| Saturated Fat | 11.7g | 59% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.1g | 6% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 132mg | 44% |
| Sodium | 311.3mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugar | 37g | 74% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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