Description
This French Toast Casserole combines a crunchy cinnamon-sugar top with a custardy center. It is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be baked immediately or refrigerated overnight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large loaf good-quality French loaf, sourdough, ciabatta, or challah (enough to yield 10 cups of chunks of bread)
- 1/2 cup (45g) chopped pecans
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- Zest from one medium orange (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons (40g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Place an oven rack in the center position. Slice the bread into 1-inch slices and cut them into 1-inch cubes or tear them apart by hand, leaving the crusts on.
- Lightly grease a 2-quart or 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Add enough bread cubes to cover the bottom and sprinkle a few tablespoons of pecans over them. Continue layering bread chunks and pecans until all are used.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, orange zest (if using), 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over all the bread chunks in the baking dish. You can bake immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In another bowl, mix melted unsalted butter with dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Drizzle the butter and sugar mixture evenly over the bread chunks. Bake the casserole uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes. Bake for about 38 minutes for balanced browning or longer for a crunchier top.
- Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle dried cranberries and dust powdered sugar on top. Serve with maple syrup on the side.
Notes
- This dish can be made a day in advance.
- Adjust baking time based on desired crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 347
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg