Baked French Toast Recipe
This Baked French Toast recipe offers a decadent and easy way to enjoy a classic breakfast favorite. Made with thick slices of French baguette soaked in a rich custard of eggs, cream, brown sugar, and warm spices, then baked until puffed and golden. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation and sweet touch, this dish is perfect for brunch or a special morning treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Baked French Toast:
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened (for buttering the baking dish)
- 14 ounces French baguette (about 397 grams)
- 8 extra large eggs
- 1½ cups half and half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For Serving:
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a pastry brush to evenly butter a 9×13-inch (or 13×9-inch) baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Slice the baguette: Remove the ends of the baguette and slice the rest into ¾-inch thick pieces. You can include the end pieces in the recipe if you prefer, making use of the entire loaf.
- Make the custard mixture: In a large mixing bowl (3-4 quarts), combine the eggs, half and half, heavy cream, light brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk together or use a handheld mixer on low speed until the mixture is fully blended and smooth.
- Soak the bread slices: Submerge each baguette slice into the custard mixture, holding it for 5 seconds on each side to ensure thorough soaking. Arrange the soaked slices in the buttered baking dish, layering and slightly overlapping them. Pour any leftover custard evenly over the top.
- Bake the French toast: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes. The French toast is done when it is puffed up and golden brown around the edges.
- Serve: Once baked, dust the top generously with powdered sugar. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can prepare this dish the night before: assemble the soaked bread in the dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- For added texture, consider sprinkling chopped nuts or berries on top before baking.
- This recipe uses a combination of half and half and heavy cream for a rich custard; you can substitute with whole milk for a lighter version.
- Make sure not to soak the bread too long to avoid it becoming mushy; 5 seconds per side is ideal to maintain structure.
- Use fresh spices for the best flavor impact and adjust the amount of cinnamon or nutmeg to your preference.
Keywords: Baked French Toast, brunch recipe, breakfast casserole, custard soaked bread, maple syrup French toast
Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/baked-french-toast-recipe/
