Imagine waking up to the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through your home. That’s the magic of this French Toast Casserole! It’s a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite, perfect for lazy weekends or holiday mornings. This recipe transforms ordinary French bread into a luxurious, custardy delight, topped with a crispy, sweet crust that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Crispy: These chimichangas are bursting with flavor, thanks to the combination of tender chicken, a blend of spices, and a creamy, cheesy sour cream sauce. They’re also perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.
- Versatile: You can easily customize these chimichangas with your favorite fillings and toppings.
- Freezer-Friendly: You can assemble these chimichangas ahead of time and freeze them for a quick and easy meal later on.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Filling:
- Eggs: The foundation of our custardy base, binding everything together.
- Whole milk: Adds richness to the custard. Feeling indulgent? Use half-and-half!
- Brown sugar: For a deep, caramel-like sweetness that white sugar just can’t match.
- Vanilla extract: A must for that classic French toast flavor.
- Cinnamon: Because what’s French toast without cinnamon?
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- French bread: The star of the show! Day-old bread works best as it soaks up the custard beautifully.
For the Topping:
- Brown sugar: Creates a delightful crunch on top.
- Cinnamon: For an extra boost of warmth and spice.
- Salt: To enhance all the flavors.
- Butter: Cold and diced, it melts into heavenly pockets of richness.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
- Fruit Fusion: Toss in some berries or sliced apples for a fruity twist.
- Nutty Delight: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Add chocolate chips to the custard for a decadent treat.
- Pumpkin Spice Everything: Swap regular cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in fall.
How to Make French Toast Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. This ensures your casserole won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Create the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. This mixture is the heart of your French toast – make it count!
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Add your bread cubes to the custard mixture, making sure each piece gets a good coating. Transfer this to your prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Make the Topping
In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle this over your bread mixture, then dot with cold butter pieces.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Let it cool for a few minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup. Dig in and savor every bite!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use stale bread for better absorption of the custard.
- Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to set fully.
- For extra richness, substitute some of the milk with heavy cream.
- If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil and continue baking.
How to Serve
Serve this casserole warm, straight from the oven. A dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of pure maple syrup are classic toppings. For a fun twist, try:
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Fresh berries on the side
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert-style French toast
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead
Prepare the casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.
Storing Leftovers
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight!
Reheating
Warm individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the entire casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! Challah, brioche, or even whole wheat bread work well. Just make sure it’s slightly stale for the best texture.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The top should be golden brown, and the center should be set but still have a slight jiggle. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use your favorite non-dairy milk and a plant-based butter substitute. The result will be slightly different but still delicious.
Is this casserole too sweet for breakfast?
Not at all! The sweetness is balanced, but you can reduce the sugar if you prefer. Remember, the maple syrup adds extra sweetness when serving.
This French Toast Casserole is a game-changer for breakfast lovers. It’s the perfect blend of convenience and indulgence, bringing the comfort of traditional French toast to your table with minimal morning effort. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or treating your family to a special weekend breakfast, this casserole is sure to become a new favorite. So go ahead, give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!
Print
French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in the perfect breakfast treat with this delectable French Toast Casserole. This easy-to-make dish combines the classic flavors of French toast with the convenience of a casserole, creating a warm, comforting meal that’s perfect for lazy weekend mornings or holiday brunches.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 6 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups whole milk (370mL)
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (55g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 14 to 16-oz.)
For the Topping:
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (55g)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold butter, diced (57g)
To Serve:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with butter.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the bread cubes until fully coated. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the bread mixture in the baking dish. Distribute the diced butter evenly on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- For a richer custard, substitute half-and-half for the milk, or use 1 cup of milk and ¾ cup of heavy cream.
- If the casserole browns too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
- Experiment with different spices like pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for seasonal variations.
- Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
- Try a streusel topping instead of the cinnamon sugar for a different texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 320kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
