French Toast, also known as Brioche perdue, is the perfect treat to serve for breakfast, brunch, or, why not, as a dessert. French toast soaked in egg mixture enhanced in abundance with winter spices, topped with crunchy nuts, are baked to perfection. A lovely dish for perfect mornings!
This time I deviate a bit from the rule and make it easier. What about a one-pot recipe? Did you ever try to make French toast in a casserole? French toast casserole is a versatile dish that combines contrasting textures — soft & fluffy, custardy & sticky, crispy & toasted, sweet & aromatic – a simple indulgence.
This delicious breakfast recipe can feed a big crowd with minimal effort. Filled with outstanding flavors, the french toast recipe becomes even tastier if made ahead of time.
Cinnamon, an important ingredient in this french toast casserole recipe, is the fall/winter spice that adds a note of nostalgic and cozy feelings. I adore cinnamon in bakery as it adds a pronounced aroma and texture. You can check some of my cinnamon recipes here:
Baked deliciousness with cinnamon is making my house feel as if Christmas is already right here. I adore such goddess sweetness and like to make more of them.
Nothing too complicated, on the contrary, a pleasure to spoil my family this way.
The best bread for French Toast:
The best bread to use for French toast is brioche, baguette, or toast. Any of these types of bread fit perfectly for this decadent dessert. Most of the time, my choice goes to brioche. This sweet bread truly makes the tastiest french toast.
For better results, use bread that was baked about 3 to 4 days ago. French toast is an excellent way to reuse bread that is no longer eaten.
How to make French Toast casserole?
French toast casserole is one of the best things you will ever try. Just imagine a buttery brioche with caramelized edges baked in a rich custard. The good news is no frying is needed. Just assembly the dish and send it to the oven. This french toast casserole will surely be a hit among your family.
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
Grease a baking dish (9×13 inch) with unsalted butter.
In a mixing bowl, stir together brown sugar, maple syrup, and melted butter. Chop pecan and hazelnuts. Pour half of the mixture into the bottom of the greased baking dish. Then sprinkle half of the nuts.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, liqueur ( I have used Baileys), cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Soak each piece of bread generously into the egg mixture. Place the brioche slices in the baking dish, shingling them slightly. Pour the remaining egg mixture on the top. Then pour evenly over the bread the remaining sugar & maple syrup mixture. And finely, sprinkle the remaining nuts over the french toasts.
Cover the baking dish and send it to the fridge for 1 hour. When ready to bake, transfer it into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. In case the top browns too quickly, cover it with foil.
Meanwhile, prepare the bourbon syrup. In a pot, over medium heat, stir the maple syrup, bourbon, and vanilla. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the syrup thickens.
Serve the french toast warm, drizzled with delicious bourbon syrup, and topped with vanilla ice cream.
What to serve with French Toast?
The best topping to serve with french toast is ice cream. Do diversify serving add berries, fresh fruits, nuts, or chocolate cream.
Pair french toast with a cup of coffee or fresh juice and make your mornings cozier!
Although french toast is an outstanding dish, that can actually be served on its own.
How to reheat french toast?
How to reheat french toast?Undoubtedly, any french toast recipe, be it french toast roll-ups, classic french toast, or french toast casserole, is mouthwatering when just cooked. In my family, we rarely have french toast leftover. Anyway, you can store french toast leftovers for up to 1-2 days in the fridge. Make sure you transfer it in an airtight container.
Before serving, just reheat it in the microwave or oven. In the microwave, heat french toast in short sessions of about 15 seconds, checking after each reheating. If you are using the oven, then preheat it to 300 – 325 º F.
More delicious breakfast dishes:
I am more than convinced that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So for my family and me, it is essential to make it versatile and hearty.
If you are running out of breakfast ideas, I advise you to have a quick look at some recipes on our blog:
- Baked Eggs with Avocado Hollandaise Sauce
- Pistachio Poppy Seed Cake
- Butternut Squash Muffins with Spinach and Feta
- Keto Chia Pudding
- Orange Cake
French toast casserole
Equipment
- baking dish
Ingredients
- 8 slices brioche buns
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 8 eggs
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp liqueur Baileys
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder
- 1 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- pinch of salt
Bourbon Syrup:
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 3 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Grease a baking dish (9x13 inch) with unsalted butter.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together brown sugar, maple syrup, and melted butter. Chop pecan and hazelnuts. Pour half of the mixture into the bottom of the greased baking dish. Then sprinkle half of the nuts.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, orange liqueur ( I have used Cointreau), cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Soak each piece of bread generously into the egg mixture. Place the brioche slices in the baking dish, shingling them slightly. Pour the remaining egg mixture on the top. Then pour evenly over the bread the remaining sugar & maple syrup mixture. And finely, sprinkle the remaining nuts over the french toasts.
- Cover the baking dish and send it to the fridge for 1 hour. When ready to bake, transfer it into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. In case the top browns too quickly, cover it with foil.
- Meanwhile, prepare the bourbon syrup. In a pot, over medium heat, stir the maple syrup, bourbon, and vanilla. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the syrup thickens.
- Serve the french toast warm, drizzled with delicious bourbon syrup, and topped with vanilla ice cream.
