This breakfast recipe takes French toast to the next level. Tender pieces of brioche cooked into a custardy egg mixture and then topped with creamy maple icing. This brioche French toast casserole can be made ahead of time making it the ultimate holiday or weekend breakfast!
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This is the ultimate holiday breakfast. Not only is it rich and decadent, but best of all it is deceptively easy to make and can even be prepped ahead of time for an overnight French toast casserole. But don't worry - just because this recipe is ideal for holidays, doesn't mean you can't enjoy it any day!
This recipe was inspired by one of the first recipes I ever shared - Low Carb French Toast Casserole so if you are eating low-carb, be sure to check out that recipe.
This French toast casserole is the perfect companion for my cheesy sausage and egg breakfast casserole which can also be prepped ahead of time.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
- Brioche Bread - I used plain brioche bread, but you could also use cinnamon brioche. In addition to brioche, this recipe also works well with sweet Hawaiian bread.
- Large Eggs
- Half and Half - for a lighter option you can use milk or milk substitute. For a richer option replace half of the half and half with heavy cream.
- Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- Brown Sugar
- Butter
- Optional Frosting Topping: Cream Cheese, Butter, Maple Syrup, and Vanilla Extract
Tip: Stale bread works best for french toast. If time allows, lay the sliced brioche on a baking sheet and keep it in your oven for up to 24 hours before assembling this casserole.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
No one who tastes this casserole will ever believe just how easy it is to make. Before you begin to assemble the casserole, grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. If you want to bake the casserole immediately, you'll also want to preheat the oven.
Cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes then place them into the prepared baking dish.
Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir in half-and-half, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is well combined.
Slowly pour the egg mixture over the brioche in the baking dish. Carefully the brioche into the egg until it is fully coated. Gently press the coated bread into an even layer.
Tip: If you would like to prepare this as an overnight casserole, then stop here. Cover the dish tightly and store in the fridge for up to 12 hours. When you are ready to cook the casserole, remove the dish from the refrigerator and preheat the oven. Then, follow the recipe where you left off.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and the remaining half tablespoon of cinnamon. Drizzle this mixture over the top of the bread in the casserole.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the top of the casserole is golden and there is no liquid remaining.
If desired, prepare the frosting while the casserole is baking. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and combined. Then mix in the maple syrup and vanilla.
Drizzle the frosting over the casserole just before serving and enjoy!
Variations
Here are some of my favorite ways to change up this recipe:
- Low Carb - Follow this recipe for a low-carb french toast casserole!
- French Toast Muffins - Mix the bread cubes with the egg mixture in a large bowl. Then scoop into silicone muffin cups and bake loosely covered with foil for 15 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the muffins are set. Drizzle each muffin with the frosting.
- French Toast in a Mug - Follow this recipe for delicious microwave French toast in a mug! It cooks completely in the microwave and can be made low-carb if desired.
- For a gluten and dairy-free french toast casserole be sure to check out this recipe!
Be sure to also check out my recipe for low-carb French Toast Sticks! These are great for meal prep!
Storage
Store leftover french toast casserole in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave or covered with aluminum foil in the oven.
You can also freeze this casserole after baking and before frosting it. Simply cover it tightly and freeze the casserole for up to 6 months. Allow it to thaw at least halfway before heating the casserole in the microwave or oven. Top it with the frosting after heating.
FAQs
To prevent soggy french toast, or french toast casserole it is best to use stale bread. If you only have fresh bread on hand, lay the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake them in the oven at 300 degrees for 20 minutes just to dry them out a little.
The only difference between brioche french toast and other french toast is the type of bread used. Brioche bread is very light, tender, and slightly sweet. Because it is light and fluffy, it soaks up a lot of the egg mixture used in french toast and results in a very custardy french toast.
Top tip:
- Stale bread works best for french toast. If time allows, lay the sliced brioche on a baking sheet and keep it in your oven for up to 24 hours before assembling this casserole. If you don't have time for that lay the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake them in the oven at 300 degrees for 20 minutes just to dry them out a little.
📖 Recipe
Brioche French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Knife
Ingredients
- 16 oz Brioche Bread about 1 loaf
- 8 Large Eggs
- 2 cups Half and Half
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 ½ tablespoon Ground Cinnamon divided
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ cup Butter melted
Optional Frosting Topping
- 4 oz Cream Cheese softened
- 2 tablespoon Butter softened
- ½ cup Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400° F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or softened butter.
- Cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes then place them in the prepared baking dish in an even layer. It may seem like there isn't enough room in your dish, but they will compress in a later step.16 oz Brioche Bread
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously. Add the half-and-half, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Stir until well combined.2 cups Half and Half, 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1 ½ tablespoon Ground Cinnamon, 8 Large Eggs
- Slowly pour the egg mixture over the cubed brioche in the baking dish. Gently stir the bread to make sure that all the pieces are coated in the liquid. Then, gently press the bread down into the liquid. For overnight french toast casserole: Stop after completing this step. Cover the dish tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Proceed with the remaining steps when you are ready to bake the casserole
- In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, remaining ½ tablespoon of cinnamon, and melted butter. Drizzle this mixture over the bread in the baking dish.½ cup Brown Sugar, ¼ cup Butter
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden and there is no liquid remaining.
For the frosting topping:
- While the casserole is baking prepare the frosting. Add the softened cream cheese and the softened butter to a medium mixing bowl. Whip them together using a whisk or an electric mixer.4 oz Cream Cheese, 2 tablespoon Butter
- Add the maple syrup and the vanilla extract. Continue to mix until everything is combined and the frosting is smooth.½ cup Maple Syrup, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- After baking, allow the casserole to cool for 10-15 minutes then drizzle the frosting over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Be sure to read the entire post for tips, tricks, and help troubleshooting.
The nutrition information listed here is only an estimate and is simply provided as a courtesy. It nor any other information within this post should constitute medical or nutritional advice. Be sure to read all packaging and ingredient labels for potential allergens. Optional ingredients are not included unless otherwise specified.
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