Brunch Baked French Toast Recipe

French bread: A sturdy bread that holds up well when soaked, giving the dish a nice texture.

Eggs: The main binder that helps everything come together and adds protein.

Milk: Adds moisture and creaminess to the custard mixture.

Heavy cream: Makes the custard richer and gives the baked french toast a silky texture.

Sugar: Sweetens the custard and helps create a golden crust.

Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and enhances the flavor.

Vanilla extract: Brings a warm, fragrant note that makes the dish taste extra special.

One of the most important steps in this Brunch Baked French Toast Recipe is making sure the egg mixture soaks into the bread cubes really well before baking. Here’s how you can do that without making a mess or leaving dry spots:

1. After you whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract, pour the mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
2. Use a spoon or your hands (clean, of course!) to gently press the bread cubes down into the liquid. This helps the bread soak up all the custard goodness.
3. Let the bread sit for at least 5 minutes before putting it in the oven. This waiting time lets the eggs and milk soak in fully, so every bite is soft and flavorful.

Doing this makes the French toast bake up perfectly creamy inside and golden on top. If you skip soaking or don’t press the bread down, you might end up with some dry, crunchy pieces that don’t taste as good.

When I first tried this recipe, I was impatient and put the dish straight into the oven. The top looked great, but the inside was a little dry. After I started soaking the bread longer and pressing it down, the whole dish turned out so much better. Now, I even soak it for 10 minutes if I have time—it’s worth the wait! Plus, pressing the bread down is a quick trick that makes sure every cube gets coated with the sweet, creamy mixture.

• french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche has a similar texture and richness, making it an excellent alternative for baked french toast.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and soft, which works well for soaking up the egg mixture.

• eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg. This is a great vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• eggs - Substitute with silken tofu: Use ¼ cup of blended silken tofu per egg. It provides a similar texture and moisture.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that maintains the creamy texture needed for the dish.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk has a neutral flavor and creamy consistency, making it a good substitute for milk.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream adds richness and a slight coconut flavor, suitable for a dairy-free option.

• heavy cream - Substitute with evaporated milk: Evaporated milk provides a similar creamy texture without the high fat content.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds sweetness and a slight floral note, though it will alter the flavor slightly.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a natural sweetness and unique flavor, complementing the french toast.

• brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar caramel-like flavor and can be used in equal amounts.

• brown sugar - Substitute with date sugar: Date sugar provides a natural sweetness and a hint of caramel, similar to brown sugar.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a different but pleasant flavor profile that can enhance the dish.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract provides a sweet, rich flavor that complements the french toast.

• Allow the baked French toast to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.

• For short-term storage, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the French toast to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the French toast in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.

• For longer storage, consider freezing individual portions. Wrap each serving tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method allows you to grab a single serving whenever the craving strikes.

• When ready to enjoy from frozen, thaw the French toast in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

• For a quick reheat, use the microwave. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals until warm.

• To maintain the delightful texture, avoid reheating in the microwave for too long, as this can make the bread rubbery.

• If you want to add a touch of freshness, sprinkle some cinnamon or powdered sugar over the top before serving.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baked French toast in an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out, and heat for about 15-20 minutes. This method ensures that the French toast retains its delightful texture and flavor.

• For a quicker option, use a microwave. Place a portion of the French toast on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Check to see if it's heated through; if not, continue in 30-second intervals.

• If you prefer a slightly crispier texture, try reheating it on the stovetop. Melt a small amount of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the French toast slices in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until warmed through and the edges are slightly crispy.

• For those with an air fryer, preheat it to 320°F (160°C). Place the French toast slices in a single layer in the basket and heat for 3-5 minutes. This method gives a nice crispness to the outside while keeping the inside soft and warm.

• Oven: Used to bake the French toast, ensuring it cooks evenly and achieves a golden brown top.

• Baking dish: Holds the bread cubes and egg mixture, allowing the French toast to bake properly.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, and vanilla extract into a smooth mixture.

• Whisk: Helps in thoroughly mixing the ingredients in the mixing bowl to create a uniform egg mixture.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the milk, heavy cream, and sugars to ensure the right balance of flavors.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract precisely, ensuring the correct amount is added to the mixture.

• Knife: Useful for cutting the loaf of French bread into cubes.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting the bread into cubes.

• Spatula: Assists in spreading the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.

• Oven mitts: Protects your hands when placing the baking dish in and out of the hot oven.

• Cooling rack: Allows the baked French toast to cool slightly before serving, preventing it from becoming soggy.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Cut the french bread into cubes and measure out the milk, heavy cream, and sugars the night before. This will streamline your morning routine.

Use a large mixing bowl: Whisk the eggs and other liquids in a large bowl to ensure even mixing, reducing the need for extra cleanup.

Soak overnight: Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and let it soak overnight in the fridge. This enhances flavor and saves time in the morning.

Preheat efficiently: Start preheating the oven while assembling the dish to minimize waiting time.