French Toast Bake

Bread: The base of the dish, cubed bread soaks up the egg mixture and becomes soft and flavorful.

Eggs: These help bind everything together and add richness.

Milk: Adds moisture and light creaminess to the bake.

Heavy cream: Makes the dish extra creamy and smooth.

Sugar: Sweetens the mixture and balances the spices.

Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste.

Ground cinnamon: Gives a cozy, spicy note that’s classic in french toast.

Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty spice that complements the cinnamon.

Butter: Melted and drizzled on top, it helps create a golden, rich crust.

Brown sugar: Sprinkled on top for a sweet, caramelized finish.

One of the most important steps in making this French Toast Bake is pouring the egg mixture over the bread cubes so that every piece gets soaked. Here’s how to do it without making a mess and making sure the bread soaks up all the yummy flavors:

1. After whisking together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg, pour the mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
2. Use a spoon or spatula to gently press down on the bread cubes. This helps the bread absorb the liquid better instead of just floating on top.
3. If you have time, let the dish sit for about 10 minutes before baking. This gives the bread a chance to soak up even more of the egg mixture, making the bake extra soft and flavorful.

Doing this step carefully means your French Toast Bake won’t be dry or crumbly. Instead, it will be creamy and delicious all the way through because every piece of bread is full of that sweet, spiced custard. It also helps the bake cook evenly, so you don’t end up with soggy spots or dry edges.

When I first made this, I poured the mixture too fast and didn’t press the bread down, so some cubes stayed dry and the bake was uneven. Now, I always take my time with this step—it’s worth it! Also, letting it sit a bit before baking feels like a little magic trick that makes the whole dish taste better. If you’re in a rush, just pressing the bread down well still helps a lot.

• bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, making it an excellent alternative for a more decadent French toast bake.

• bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and has a soft texture, which works well in absorbing the custard mixture.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. This is a good vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that provides a similar consistency and mild flavor.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk is another dairy-free option that has a creamy texture, making it a good substitute.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream is a dairy-free alternative that adds richness and a slight coconut flavor.

• heavy cream - Substitute with evaporated milk: Evaporated milk is less rich but still provides a creamy texture.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a unique flavor profile.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that can add a different depth of flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor to the dish.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract can add a unique twist to the flavor profile.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices, adding a more complex flavor.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with allspice: Allspice has a similar warm flavor and can be used in smaller quantities.

• ground nutmeg - Substitute with ground cloves: Ground cloves have a strong, warm flavor that can replace nutmeg in smaller amounts.

• ground nutmeg - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger provides a different but still warm and spicy flavor.

• butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that adds a slight coconut flavor.

• butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine is a dairy-free option that provides a similar texture and flavor.

• brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener with a similar texture and a slight caramel flavor.

• brown sugar - Substitute with date sugar: Date sugar is made from dried dates and provides a natural sweetness and a hint of caramel.

• Allow the French Toast Bake to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.

• For short-term storage, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, transfer the bake 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 Bake in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. For a crispier top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• For freezing, cut the cooled French Toast Bake into individual portions. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw the desired number of portions in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. For a quicker option, microwave individual portions on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking frequently.

• To maintain the best texture and flavor, avoid refreezing any previously frozen portions of French Toast Bake.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover French Toast Bake in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. For a crispy top, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Microwave Method: Place a portion of the French Toast Bake on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it heats evenly. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make the bread rubbery.

• Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of butter or oil to the pan. Place a slice of the French Toast Bake in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place the French Toast Bake in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. This method will give you a crispy exterior while keeping the inside warm and soft.

• Oven: Used to bake the French toast at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• 9x13 inch baking dish: The dish where the bread cubes and egg mixture are combined and baked.

• Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the wet ingredients before pouring them over the bread cubes.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the milk, heavy cream, sugar, and brown sugar.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.

• Spatula: Helpful for ensuring all bread pieces are soaked in the egg mixture and for spreading the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly.

• Knife: Used to cube the loaf of bread.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to cube the bread.

• Small bowl: Used to mix the melted butter and brown sugar before drizzling over the top.

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking dish when placing it in and removing it from the oven.

• Cooling rack: Allows the French toast bake to cool slightly after baking, ensuring it sets properly.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Cube the bread the night before and store it in an airtight container to save time in the morning.

Use a blender: Blend the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg together for a smoother mixture and faster preparation.

Melt butter in the microwave: Quickly melt the butter in the microwave instead of on the stove to save a few minutes.

Pre-mix topping: Mix the melted butter and brown sugar the night before and store it in the fridge.