French Toast Bake - An easy, hassle-free overnight French toast casserole with a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping!
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It's rained almost the entire week, this week. Lots of wet and gloomy days. When I need a little pick me up or extra incentive to get the kids out of bed in the morning, I grab the recipe for this French Toast Bake.
With Mother's Day just around the corner, this would be a delicious breakfast-in-bed option. Just sayin'! If you're a French toast fan, this recipe takes the classic favorite over the top. The cinnamon bread is what makes this bake extra special!
Preparing the French Toast Bake
It's so nice to be able to prepare something the day before you need it especially if it's a holiday or you have guests coming over. It just means less time in the kitchen and more time visiting and enjoying the special moments with your friends and family.
So, to get this bake started, begin by cutting the slices into cubes.
Spread the cubes evenly into a greased 13x9" pan.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Half & Half and vanilla.
Add in the sugar and the cinnamon.
Then pour the mixture over the bread cubes, making sure to cover all the pieces.
Go ahead and cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pan overnight.
Making the Cinnamon Sugar Crumble Topping
The next day, get all of your ingredients together for the cinnamon sugar crumble topping. Cube the butter and cut it into the dry ingredients with a fork.
Sprinkle the sugar topping over the bread mixture and bake at 350º Fahrenheit for 42-45 minutes or until the center is set. The bottom of the bake should be soft and moist, the top of the bake should be sweet and crunchy.
The most difficult part of this recipe is finding the patience to wait for your first bite. Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
Sprinkle a bit of ground cinnamon on top of the whipped cream and enjoy.
Then, start all over with another piece. ? If you're a big fan of maple syrup, add some before serving.
Get this on your brunch menu for Mother's Day. Even if it's you who is being celebrated, whip this up the night before and plan to spoil yourself a bit on your special day!
French Toast Bake
Ingredients
- 16 ounce loaf cinnamon bread (I used Pepperidge Farm)
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup Half & Half
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Whipped cream (for garnish)
- Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
- Maple syrup (for garnish)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Crumble Topping
- ⅓ cup flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoon butter (cold)
Instructions
- Cube bread and spread evenly in a greased 13x9" baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, Half & Half, and vanilla.
- Add in sugar and cinnamon. Mix until combined.
- Pour egg mixture over bread, making sure all pieces are saturated.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, preheat oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
- Remove bake from the refrigerator and set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together.
- Cube cold butter and cut it into the dry ingredients with a fork.
- Evenly sprinkle over bread mixture.
- Bake for 42-45 minutes or until center is set.
Notes
- Bread Selection: The choice of bread can greatly influence the flavor and texture of your French Toast Bake. While cinnamon bread adds a delightful flavor, you can also experiment with other types of bread, like brioche or challah, for a richer and more decadent taste. Ensure the bread is slightly stale or day-old for better absorption of the egg mixture.
- Overnight Soaking: Allowing the bread to soak in the egg mixture overnight not only saves time in the morning but also ensures that the flavors meld together and the bread fully absorbs the custard. This step results in a moist and flavorful bake with a uniform texture throughout.
- Crumbly Topping Texture: Achieving the perfect texture for the cinnamon sugar crumble topping is key to adding a delightful crunch to your French Toast Bake. Ensure the butter is cold when mixing it with the dry ingredients to create a crumbly texture. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the bread mixture before baking to ensure every bite is filled with deliciousness.
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