The Best French Toast Bake
This favorite French Toast Bake is golden delicious, with a unique caramelized bottom layer. It’s different from other recipes, as it uses a thick, soft loaf of sliced Texas Toast bread. There’s no other recipe like this, so be prepared to get requests. You can easily prepare this ahead of time.
In This Article
- Amy’s Notes
- What Makes This French Toast Casserole Deliciously Different
- Key Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- How to Avoid Sogginess
- Video: Watch Me Make This Recipe
- The Best French Toast Bake Recipe
- What to Serve Alongside French Toast
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More to Eat
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Amy’s Notes
Okay, this is genuinely my go-to French toast casserole recipe for sharing with friends and family. If there is a brunch potluck or I have morning guests, I will make this standout French toast bake. It can be prepared in advance, needs just 8 ingredients, and feeds a crowd. I can’t wait for you to taste this, as it has been one of my most requested recipes since 2012. Here’s why it’s so popular:
- Pinterest Favorite: Ever since this French Toast casserole hit the Pinterest runway back in 2012, it’s been one of the most pinned/saved French toast casseroles for years.
- Caramelized Bottom Layer: This French toast bake has a uniquely buttery, caramelized bottom layer that no other recipes offer. It is so good, there’s no need for maple syrup on top unless you want it.
- No Cubing Needed: There is no need to cube a loaf of day-old bread. We layer whole slices of fresh, fluffy, soft Texas toast straight from the bag.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this French toast casserole the night before and bake it the morning of.
- Compliments and Requests: You’ll be rewarded with compliments and recipe requests once they taste this. I hope you love this as much as we do.
What Makes This French Toast Casserole Deliciously Different
What makes this French Toast Bake deliciously unique? The secret is using fresh, fluffy, thick slices of bread – Texas Toast white enriched sandwich bread. This soft, thickly sliced sandwich bread results in the most amazing French toast casserole you’ll ever taste.
If you aren’t familiar with Texas Toast, it’s usually found in the sliced bread aisle of grocery stores. Note that it is not the kind of Texas Toast that is pre-seasoned in the frozen food section of grocery stores.
Fresh Texas toast looks like a big, fluffy loaf of sliced white bread. If you use a less dense bread, the results will not be the same.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Butter: I use salted butter for best flavor, but you can use unsalted
- Light Brown Sugar: This provides the caramelized sweetness when mixed with butter.
- Texas Toast White Sandwich Bread: Buy a loaf of fresh, sliced Texas Toast bread that is found in the fresh bread aisles of stores. Do not use frozen/seasoned Texas Toast.
- Eggs: These are the binders that hold the custard together.
- Milk: I use hole milk for the creamiest results, but low-fat milk can be used.
- Extracts: A mixture of vanilla and almond extracts provide irresistibly aromatic fragrance and flavor to this recipe; don’t skip the almond extract if possible.
- Special Note: The almond extract truly imparts a sensational flavor to the dish. You can also use your almond extract to make Award Winning Almond Dessert Bars and Lemon Almond Poppy Seed Bread.
Substitutions and Variations
- Bread: If you truly cannot find Texas Toast white sandwich bread, the next best options are brioche and challah breads. Thick French or Italian bread can work, as long as you slice it about 1 1/4 inches thick.
- Jam Layer: Try spreading your favorite flavor of jam between the two layers of sliced bread, for a sweet and fruity twist.
- Milk: Whole milk is creamiest, but low-fat milk or a creamy oat milk can work.
- Nuts: If you want more crunch, sprinkle roasted chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top of the finished casserole. Alternatively, you can sprinkle nuts in between the two layers of bread.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until fully incorporated.
- Combine melted butter with brown sugar. Use rubber spatula to evenly press mixture into bottom of a greased 9×13 pan, spreading mixture evenly.
- Lay a single layer of bread in pan. Brush 1 cup of egg mixture evenly over every slice of bread, taking care to saturate edges – do not hastily pour egg mixture or all of it will end up at the bottom.
- Sprinkle evenly with most of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture, reserving about 2 tsp of the mixture for topping. Repeat with second layer and brush remaining egg mixture over that layer. Ensure all slices are well saturated. End with sprinkling of remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Cover tightly and chill overnight in fridge, or at least 1-2 hours or long enough for custard to thoroughly soak bread.
- Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Let casserole rest at room temp while oven preheats. Bake for 40-45 minutes, covered for the first 30 minutes, and uncovered after that.
- Bonus: Be sure to scrape off all the deliciously caramelized goodness off the bottom!
→ For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How to Avoid Sogginess
- Use pastry brush or even the back of a spoon to slowly brush on 1 cup of the egg mixture to first layer of bread slices.
- Take your time. It’s worth a few extra seconds to ensure an even coating and thorough bread soaking, so you don’t end up with any risk of sogginess at the bottom. If you pour the egg mixture too quickly over the bread slices, it won’t soak into the bread; it’ll just slide right into the bottom of your pan.
- Be sure to get lots of wonderful egg mixture into the edges of each bread slice. It will make a difference.
- Yes, you can just hand-dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture if you prefer; however, I find that’s actually messier and trickier than simply using my pastry brush.
Video: Watch Me Make This Recipe
The Best French Toast Bake
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This French toast casserole always gets recipe requests, as it is set apart from all other recipes. It uses a thick sliced loaf of Texas Toast sandwich bread. Can be prepared the night before.
Servings 12
Calories 192kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter 1 stick, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 6-8 slices Texas Toast sliced sandwich bread Found in fresh sliced bread aisle, not pre-seasoned/frozen.
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cup whole milk or low-fat
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ⅛ teaspoon table salt
For Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
- Maple syrup for serving
Instructions
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Use hand whisk to combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until fully incorporated. Mixture should be about 2 3/4 cup total. Set aside.
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Put butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted.
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Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until well incorporated. Use rubber spatula to evenly press mixture into bottom of a greased 9×13 pan, spreading mixture evenly.
-
Lay a single layer of Texas Toast in pan, about 6 whole slices, including any additional pieces to completely fill bottom of the pan.
-
Very gradually and slowly brush 1 cup of egg mixture evenly over every slice of bread, taking care to saturate edges – do not hastily pour egg mixture or all of it will end up at the bottom.
-
Sprinkle evenly with most of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture, reserving about 2 tsp of the mixture for topping. Repeat with second layer, using another 6 slices or so of bread.
-
Slowly brush remaining egg mixture over that layer, again paying special attention to the edges. Ensure all slices are well saturated. End with sprinkling of remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
-
Cover tightly and chill overnight in fridge, or at least 3-4 hours or long enough for custard to thoroughly soak bread.
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Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Let casserole rest at room temp while oven preheats. Bake 40-45 minutes – covered for the first 30 minutes and uncovered for remaining time.
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Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Cut into slices, scraping up all the sticky bottom layer. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Video
Notes
- If you don’t have time to chill overnight, let the casserole soak for at least 1-2 hours at room temp before baking.
- French bread casserole is best served freshly baked and warm.
- Substitutions: Brioche, challah or thick-sliced French bread (sliced 1 1/4 inches) can work if you cannot find Texas Toast sandwich bread.
- Storage: Leftovers can be wrapped airtight and kept at mild room temperature for 1 day or chilled for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat uncovered in the oven.
- If you made and enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We
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Nutrition
Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 377IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 0.5mg
What to Serve Alongside French Toast
Eggs, Bacon, and Sausage
- Easy Poached Eggs or scrambled eggs
- Crispy bacon or sausage links
Potatoes
- Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Hash browns or hash brown patties
Fruit
- Fresh Fruit Salsa or fresh berries
- Sliced bananas or sliced apples
Jams, Butters, Yogurt
- Creamy Apple Butter is a great topping
- Your favorite fruit preserves, jams, or yogurt
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular sandwich bread for this French Toast Bake?
You can, but typical thin sandwich bread soaks up custard too fast and can turn soggy on the bottom. The thick slices of Texas Toast bread hold up much better with the custard. If you must use bread other than Texas Toast sliced sandwich bread, try Brioche, challah, or hearty French bread. If you want a recipe built for everyday bread, our Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole with Streusel is made for it.
How long should I soak the bread for French toast casserole?
You should allow the bread to soak in the egg mixture for at least 1-2 hours, but preferably overnight in the refrigerator for the best results.
How far ahead can I assemble it?
Up to 24 hours is best. Too far past that, the bread may start to break down and the bottom can turn soggy.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. Bake it, cool it completely, and wrap the slices airtight. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed through.
What is the difference between French toast casserole and bread pudding?
These two dishes are similar in that they both use bread and a custard-like mixture, but they can have different textures and flavors. French toast casserole is often sweeter and resembles traditional French toast, while bread pudding is typically denser and may have a more custard-like texture.
More to Eat
- Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole – assemble this the night before and put it in the oven while you get ready in the morning.
- Sweet Potato Sausage Breakfast Casserole – this is a fan favorite gluten-free and dairy-free recipe.
- Breakfast Enchilada Bake – bring Mexican flavors to the breakfast table.
- Easy Breakfast Quiche – it’s as delicious as it is beautiful.
- Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole – loaded with all your breakfast favorites.
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