Easy Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe (2024)

Dreaming of a cozy holiday morning where the scent of cinnamon and vanilla fills the air as snowflakes dance outside the window? Let me introduce you to your new festive breakfast favorite — Brioche French Toast Casserole.

Picture a casserole that brings all the joy of French toast and turns it into a one-dish wonder that’s perfect for feeding a crowd of eager holiday guests. Gone are the days of slaving over the stove, flipping individual slices of bread, and racing against the clock to keep everything warm. This brioche French toast bake gives you more time for cherished moments with loved ones.

Now, let's talk about the magic within. We're making the most of just 12 simple ingredients, transforming them into a custardy, warmly spiced breakfast masterpiece. Every bite is a little holiday miracle, with the rich, tender brioche soaking up all the goodness and becoming a pillowy bed of deliciousness.

And before you worry about fussy preparations, rest assured, this hassle-free brioche baked French toast is all about turning your morning into a joyful baking experience. Simplicity is the secret ingredient here, and the results are nothing short of spectacular!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

Aside from tasting like an ambrosial gift from the culinary gods, this French toast casserole with brioche is also:

• Quick & Easy - Make a quick caramel, toast & cube your brioche, whisk together a simple custard, then assemble everything in the baking dish. All in, you’re only looking at about 20 minutes of active prep, then the oven takes care of the rest.
• Make Ahead-Friendly - Assemble this french toast casserole the night before, pop it in the oven in the morning, and voilà! You're all set to enjoy a heartwarming, palate-pleasing treat that pulls double duty and makes your house smell divine.
• Seasonal & Festive - Between the warming spices, syrup and whipped cream, this baked French toast brioche screams “cozy winter wonderland.” ❄️

🍴Ingredients

As promised, you only need a few easy-to-find ingredients to make this delectable cinnamon french toast casserole:

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, & Allspice - These warming spices are the backbone of most apple pie recipes. Feel free to swap in the warming spices of your choosing (e.g. ginger or cardamom). If possible, opt for whole nutmeg and grate it fresh for the best flavor.
• Eggs - I use large eggs unless otherwise specified. If you’re using liquid eggs from a carton, you’ll need a scant ¾ cup.
• Whole Milk - More fat in a custard means better mouthfeel. While you can swap in 2% milk, the flavor won’t be as rich.
• Granulated Sugar - Organic cane sugar also works!
• Vanilla Extract - For aromatic warmth. Feel free to use an equal amount of vanilla paste or powder, or use half as much ground vanilla bean.
• Brioche Bread - This is the real star of my french toast casserole. Starting with an enriched bread like brioche adds tons of flavor and yields a tender, springy result. If you need to make a substitute, consider using another enriched bread like challah or Hawaiian bread.
• Caramel and Whipped Cream - to top each slice with a drizzle of caramel and a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate sweet breakfast! Buy or make them at home - either way they're the perfect pair.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

• Use Different Fruit - Swap in pear compote or cherry compote instead!
• Add Nuts - For a touch of crunch, feel free to add up to ¾ cup of toasted, chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
• Use Flavored Brioche - My chocolate chip brioche, raspberry pecan babka, s’mores babka, and chocolate hazelnut tahini babka are all great candidates.
• Go Dairy-Free - Use your favorite plant-based milk and butter alternatives for all the festive flavor without the lactose.

This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

📖 How to Make a Brioche French Toast Bake: Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep. Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease an 9x9 casserole dish.

Step 2: Make Custard. Whisk the spices, eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, salt and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until hom*ogenous.

Step 3: Assembly, Part I. Place the toasted bread into a greased 9x9 casserole dish. Pour the milk mixture into the casserole dish on top of the bread and toss together to coat the bread cubes.

Step 4: Bake. Place the casserole dish into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Serve. After the Brioche french toast is baked, allow it to cool for 15 minutes before potentially adding a touch of caramel sauce or maple syrup on top and enjoying with a dollop of whipped cream!

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Make Ahead Magic - Feel free to stop after step 4, then cover the baking dish with foil and refrigerate the brioche french toast casserole overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven, uncover the casserole, then bake and serve!
• Don’t Skip Toasting - You need to dry out the brioche first so it can suck up all the custardy goodness.
• Keep an Eye on Oven Time - Remember, ovens can vary. You're aiming for a golden brown top and a set (but still slightly jiggly) center. If the top browns too quickly, cover it lightly with aluminum foil and continue baking.
• Let It Rest - It might be hard to resist diving right in, but letting your casserole rest for about 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven will help it set a bit more and make serving easier.
• For the ultimate rich custard that elevates your brioche French toast casserole, consider using heavy cream instead of regular milk; mix it well with your egg mixture in a large mixing bowl for a luscious base that makes this the perfect breakfast for special occasions like Mother's Day or Easter brunch.
• Elevate the top of the casserole with something special; whether it's a sprinkle of chocolate chips or a cinnamon streusel topping, a little extra effort here can turn your basic baked French toast casserole into a sweet breakfast casserole that will wow the whole family on weekend or holiday mornings.

💭 Recipe FAQs

Should you dry out brioche before making french toast?

Absolutely! As an enriched bread, brioche is quite moist. You want to dry it out somewhat by lightly toasting it to make space for the custard to be absorbed.

Why is my french toast casserole soggy?

While brioche is rich and wonderful when fresh, always ensure it's a bit stale before making French toast or bread pudding. Fresh bread can lead to a soggy casserole. If you only have fresh brioche, simply cube it and let it sit out for a few hours, or pop it in the oven at a low temperature for 10-15 minutes to dry out a bit.

Does french toast count as protein?

While French toast is often celebrated for its fluffy texture and sweet, custardy flavor, it does have a sneaky protein side from the eggs and milk used in the custard mixture. If you want to boost the protein content of your breakfast even further, consider serving it with Greek yogurt, nuts, or even a side of turkey bacon.

Can I use a different bread instead of Brioche for this recipe?

Don't overlook the type of bread you use; while buttery brioche bread is a favorite, you can also opt for challah bread or even stale bread—just cut them into 1-inch cubes and let them soak in the egg mixture overnight for an easy French toast bake the following day.

❄️ How should I store leftovers?

Oh, lucky you with leftovers! Just pop that delicious French toast casserole into an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Then, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you're craving a slice, either warm it up in the oven or microwave. Easy peasy and just as tasty the next day! 🍞🥄🤗

More Brioche Recipes You’ll Love

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