If there’s one dish that instantly makes any weekend or holiday morning feel extra special, it’s the French Toast Bake Recipe. With its golden, custardy center and slightly crisp top, this crowd-pleaser is everything you love about classic French toast, but transformed into a hassle-free casserole. Imagine all the decadent flavors and textures of traditional French toast—now effortlessly baked and perfect for sharing with friends and family around your table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need are a handful of accessible, kitchen-staple ingredients, but each addition plays a crucial role in crafting a French Toast Bake Recipe that’s irresistibly rich, aromatic, and delightfully textured. Let’s break down how every item brings its magic into the mix.

French bread: Sturdy and slightly chewy, using one loaf of French bread (about 14 ounces), cut into cubes, ensures the bake holds its shape and has the best texture.
Large eggs: Eight eggs create the luscious, creamy custard that soaks into every bite.
Whole milk: Two cups deliver richness and moisture, balancing the eggs to form the ideal base.
Heavy cream: A half-cup bumps up the creaminess for an extra dreamy result.
Granulated sugar: With a half-cup, you get subtle sweetness without overdoing it.
Brown sugar: A quarter-cup adds a hint of caramel flavor and beautiful color throughout.
Vanilla extract: Two teaspoons add warmth and depth, instantly making the dish smell like a bakery.
Ground cinnamon: Just one teaspoon lifts the flavors and delivers that classic French toast aroma.
Ground nutmeg: Only a quarter-teaspoon, but it gives a surprising, delicious hint of spice.
Salt: A quarter-teaspoon is all you need to bring all the flavors together and keep the sweetness balanced.
Unsalted butter: A quarter-cup, melted and drizzled at the end, creates a perfectly glossy, crisp topping.
Powdered sugar & maple syrup: For that irresistible finish, dust and drizzle these on just before serving.

How to Make French Toast Bake Recipe

Step 1: Build the Base

Grease your 9×13-inch baking dish well to prevent sticking, then evenly scatter all the cubed French bread across the bottom. Make sure the cubes are spread out so every bite gets evenly soaked and bakes up golden.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard

Combine your eggs, milk, heavy cream, both sugars, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Take a minute to whisk until everything is beautifully blended—you’re creating the flavorful custard that will infuse the bread, so don’t skimp on this step!

Step 3: Soak the Bread

Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes in your dish, pressing them down gently so every piece gets saturated. This is where your French Toast Bake Recipe gets its moist, flavorful character.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Cover the dish snugly with plastic wrap and transfer it to the fridge. Letting it soak for at least 3 hours (or up to overnight) is key—it gives the bread time to absorb all that custardy goodness, making the final bake extra tender and flavorful.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the casserole, drizzle the melted butter over the top, then cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, remove the foil, then bake an additional 20–25 minutes until the top is golden, the center set, and your kitchen smells like heaven.

Step 6: Serve Warm and Enjoy

Let your French Toast Bake Recipe cool just slightly, then dust it with powdered sugar and serve with a generous flow of maple syrup. You’ll want to dig in right away—this dish is best enjoyed warm and fresh from the oven.

How to Serve French Toast Bake Recipe

Garnishes

Topping your French Toast Bake Recipe with a flurry of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup is classic, but you can also throw on fresh berries, whipped cream, or even a handful of toasted pecans for extra flair and crunch.

Side Dishes

Pair your French Toast Bake Recipe with sides that complement its sweetness and richness. Try serving it with tangy Greek yogurt, crispy bacon, spicy sausage links, or a vibrant fruit salad to add balance and color to your breakfast spread.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving a crowd, portion the bake into individual squares and top each with a different fruit or syrup. For a brunch buffet, cut the casserole into “French Toast fingers” and offer a toppings bar with honey, chocolate sauce, jams, or nut butters—let everyone customize their own plate!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool any leftovers to room temperature, then wrap the French Toast Bake Recipe tightly in the baking dish, or transfer pieces into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days—the flavors continue to meld and it reheats beautifully.

Freezing

This French Toast Bake Recipe freezes surprisingly well. Wrap individual servings or the entire casserole (once cooled) in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Just be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best texture.

Reheating

For the freshest results, reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, until warmed through—about 15–20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick treat, though the oven method returns that irresistible crispy top.

FAQs

Can I make this French Toast Bake Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk and non-dairy heavy cream, and use a vegan butter alternative. The bake will still be rich and delicious without any dairy.

Is it possible to use a different type Breakfast

Yes! Brioche or challah are both wonderful options for French Toast Bake Recipe if you want something even more decadent and soft. Stale bread is best, as it holds up well against the custard.

Can I add fruit or nuts to the French Toast Bake Recipe?

Of course. Stir in diced apples, blueberries, raspberries, or chopped nuts before baking for bursts of flavor and a great texture contrast.

Can this be prepped more than one night in advance?

For the best consistency, prepare up to 24 hours before baking. If you need to go longer, freeze the unbaked casserole, then thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed.

What’s the best way to serve leftovers?

Warm leftovers in the oven or microwave and enjoy as a quick breakfast or dessert. Top with yogurt, nut butter, or even a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat.

Final Thoughts

Warm, comforting, and incredibly easy to make, this French Toast Bake Recipe will quickly become your new go-to for celebratory breakfasts and cozy weekends alike. Don’t wait for a special occasion—invite some friends over, pop it in the oven, and get ready to share something truly delightful together.

French Toast Bake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 6 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (includes chilling time)
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in a delightful French Toast Bake, a delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole perfect for leisurely mornings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread:

1 loaf French bread (about 14 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes

Egg Mixture:

8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt

Additional:

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Powdered sugar and maple syrup for serving

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Instructions

Prepare Bread: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and arrange the cubed bread evenly in the dish.
Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, vanilla, spices, and salt until well combined.
Soak Bread: Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Drizzle melted butter over the casserole. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 20-25 minutes until golden and set.
Serve: Cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm with maple syrup.