Baked French Toast
A classic breakfast dish that’s perfect for making ahead of time. Baked French Toast can be made the night before, then easily baked the next morning. Or, make it and bake it, it’s all good. The buttery brown sugar crumble on top gives it an extra layer of crispy, tasty goodness.
There’s something so delicious about French Toast for breakfast. It smells good, tastes good, and even looks good. Especially with a splash of color from fresh berries. Plus, being in cubes, each person can scoop out as much, or as little, as they want.
What’s special about this recipe is that instead of frying it on the stove top, you actually bake it.
And then the bonus is that you can make it the night before, then just pop it in the oven in the morning. All the work is done already.
Making Baked French Toast
Start by buttering a 9 x 9″ baking dish, then set it aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, cream, both sugars, and vanilla until combined.
Then, take a crusty loaf of sourdough or French bread and cut four thick slices. Then, either cube or tear each slice into bite-sized pieces.
Add the bread to the egg mixture and stir it so that the bread is evenly coated.
Pour into the prepared baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it. This could mean in five minutes, or it could mean tomorrow morning.
It turns out great either way, but it’s nice to have that option.
Meanwhile, make the topping.
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
Then, using a pastry cutter, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until crumbly. If you don’t have a pastry cutter, pop the butter into the freezer for 10 minutes, then use a grater. Or, criss cross two steak knives and literally cut the butter into the flour mixture.
Whichever way you do it, the mixture should be crumbly. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
Baking your French Toast
Preheat the oven to 350°. Remove your dishes from the refrigerator and sprinkle the topping over the top in an even layer.
Bake uncovered for 45 min. to an hour. If you like your French Toast softer, more like bread pudding, bake it for the 45 minutes.
On the other hand, if you like a more solid, firmer texture, let it bake for one hour. The edges will be crispier and have an extra crunch, while the inside is still soft.
If you can’t decide, take it out right in the middle, 52 1/2 minutes. LOL
Time to Eat
Traditionally, French Toast is served hot with a pat of butter to melt over the top.
Then, drizzle that dark golden syrup all over. Yummy!
A splash of color from fresh berries never hurt anyone, plus they’re delicious.
You can also add a side of Easy Baked Bacon. If you have a whole brunch table set up, then check out your options by clicking on Breakfast under the Recipes drop down menu, or click HERE. You’ll find smoothies, breakfast casseroles, hash browns, and more.
If you tried and love this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment below. Thank you so much.
Baked French Toast
Ingredients
French Toast
- butter, for greasing the baking dish
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk, whole or almond
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
- 4 thick slices sourdough or French bread, cubed or torn into bite-sized pieces
Topping
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/3 cup cold butter, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup OPTIONAL: pecans, chopped
Serving
- butter
- syrup
- fresh fruit, like blueberries or banana slices
Instructions
French Toast
- Butter a 9 x 9-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, mix eggs, milk, cream, both sugars, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Add cubed bread. Stir to evenly coat the bread with egg mixture. Pour into prepared baking dish. If making ahead, cover dish and refrigerate until needed, or overnight. If making now, it's going to turn out just as wonderful.
Topping
- Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Using a pastry cutter* mix the butter into the flour mixture until crumbly. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°. Give the bread one more stir, then sprinkle the topping in an even layer over the top. Bake for 45 minutes for a softer texture, or 1 hour for a more solid, firm texture.
Serving
- French Toast is traditionally served with butter and maple syrup. Add some fresh berries or banana slices for a pop of color and sweetness. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Baked French Toast
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