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Baked French Toast Casserole: An Easy Crowd-Pleasing Recipe

Baked French Toast Casserole

This make-ahead French toast casserole features brioche or challah soaked in a sweet cinnamon custard and finished with a buttery brown sugar streusel. It is baked until golden, set in the center, and ready to serve with maple syrup or powdered sugar.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 large loaf Brioche or challah, about 1 pound, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 Large eggs
  • 2 cups Whole milk
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Streusel Topping
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
For Serving
  • As needed Maple syrup
  • As needed Powdered sugar
  • As desired Fresh berries, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and arrange the cubed bread evenly inside.
  2. Whisk the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until thoroughly combined. Pour the custard over the bread and press the cubes down gently.
  3. Cover the casserole and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight so the bread can absorb the custard.
  4. For the streusel, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until coarse crumbs form, then sprinkle the mixture over the soaked bread.
  5. Let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350°F for 45–55 minutes, tenting loosely with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
  6. Rest the baked casserole for 5–10 minutes before serving with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and optional fresh berries.

Notes

Day-old or slightly stale brioche, challah, or French bread absorbs the custard especially well. Assemble the casserole overnight when possible, and refrigerate leftovers after cooling.