Easy Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe
Breakfast or brunch will never be the same with this Easy Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe. The combination of brioche bread, cinnamon, brown sugar, and custard creates a unique flavor. It is also easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for busy mornings. Plus, it is a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for more. This is the perfect recipe for special occasions or to share with your family on weekend mornings!
Soft and Fluffy with a Golden Brown Topping
This Oven Baked French Toast Casserole makes the best breakfast ever. It is the perfect choice for those who love French toast and don’t want to stand over a pan or griddle flipping their breakfast piece by piece.
This simple French toast casserole with brioche bread is made with a rich, custard base similar to that used to dip classic French toast.
Instead of dipping and frying each slice of bread, you pour the custard mixture over cut-up brioche bread in a baking dish. Bake it until the bottom is soft and the top is crispy and caramelized. Then set it aside to rest, bake, and enjoy!
Drizzle Maple Syrup and Enjoy
Why You’ll Love This Brioche French Toast Recipe
- The buttery brioche bread takes this brioche berry french toast casserole to a new level.
- This French toast bake is a quick and easy way to make breakfast.
- You can prepare this brioche French toast casserole overnight and bake it the next morning.
- Toppings can be easily customized so that everyone gets what they want.
Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe Ingredients
You only need basic ingredients to make this easy breakfast casserole.
- brioche bread
- half and half
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
Topping
- unsalted butter
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- flour
See the recipe card for quantities.
A Hearty Breakfast Treat
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with oil. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in the baking dish in an even layer.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together half and half, the eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly on top of the bread cubes, cover the bread, and refrigerate for an hour or overnight.
- To make the topping: in a bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. When ready to bake, sprinkle with the topping and cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden on top.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve this easy French toast casserole with berries and maple syrup.
Substitutions
- Brioche Bread: Brioche bread is used in this brioche French toast casserole. You can substitute another thick, buttery bread, such as challah bread.
- Ground spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg are the perfect aromatic blend to make this French toast casserole shine. If you don’t have all of the spices, you can substitute any baking spice blend you have on hand. Pumpkin spice, chai spice, or apple pie spice blends would all work well in this recipe.
- Brown sugar: Maple sugar is an excellent substitute for brown sugar.
- Cream: Use equal amounts of heavy cream instead of half and half.
A Wonderful Dish for Holidays
Variations
- Optional add-ins: This French toast casserole closely resembles traditional French toast, but feel free to add some raisins, chocolate chips, fresh fruit, dried cranberries, fresh blueberries, or even pecans.
Equipment
You will need an 8×8-inch baking pan and a whisk to make this easy brioche French toast casserole.
Storage
- Making Ahead: This overnight French toast casserole recipe is best served hot from the oven. To make ahead, slightly underbake the dish, cool it, and place it in the fridge covered with plastic wrap. Return to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- Refrigerator: Brioche French toast casserole leftovers can be stored in the baking dish, covered with plastic wrap, in the fridge. Individual servings can also be stored in an airtight container. Eat within a day for the best texture, but it will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven until crisp once more.
- Reheating: This, like most casseroles, is best on the first day. You can reheat it in the microwave, but an air fryer or oven may be better if you want the crunch.
- Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this dish because it is best served fresh.
Best Ever Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe
Top Tips
- For best results, use stale Brioche Bread instead of fresh bread. It absorbs the custard evenly and creates delicious textures in the finished dish.
- Slice brioche bread into thick slices. Slices that are too thin may break apart when dipped and soaked in the egg mixture.
- Cube the brioche bread evenly: 1-inch pieces are ideal for baking and eating.
- Bring cold ingredients to room temperature to allow them to mix more evenly and easily, resulting in a smoother custard filling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The only bread I recommend substituting for the brioche for a similar texture and flavor is Challah Bread.
French toast was created as a way to repurpose stale bread. When the bread is stale, it absorbs the custard much better and has a better overall texture. If you prefer, you can use fresh brioche bread, but it will become much softer once baked.
Underbaking is the primary cause of a soggy French toast casserole. I recommend baking for approximately 40 minutes. However, time can vary slightly. Bake the French toast until the casserole has puffed up and has just a slight jiggle when shaken.
I like to sprinkle powdered sugar on top of this French toast casserole and drizzle it with pure maple syrup. Fresh berries will also take your casserole to another level.
If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on Sourandsweets, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience with my recipes. Please share it with me on Instagram.
Brioche French Toast Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ loaf brioche bread about 250 grams
- 1 ¼ cup half and half
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Topping:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with oil. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in the baking dish in an even layer.
- Whisk together half and half, the eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly on top of the bread, cover the bread, and refrigerate for an hour or overnight.
Topping:
- In a bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. When ready to bake, sprinkle with the topping and cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden on top.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve it with berries and maple syrup.
