French toast casserole is a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite. This dish combines the rich flavors of french bread, eggs, and cinnamon into a warm, comforting bake that's perfect for a weekend brunch or a special occasion. It's easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy mornings.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. French bread is essential for its texture and flavor, so make sure to get a fresh loaf. Heavy cream adds richness to the dish, and you may not always have it on hand. Ensure you have vanilla extract and ground cinnamon for that classic French toast flavor.
Ingredients for French Toast Casserole
French bread: A loaf of French bread, cut into cubes, provides the base for the casserole, offering a chewy texture and absorbing the egg mixture well.
Eggs: Eggs are the binding agent that holds the casserole together and gives it a custard-like consistency.
Milk: Milk adds moisture and helps create the custard base for the casserole.
Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds richness and a creamy texture to the dish.
Sugar: Sugar sweetens the casserole and balances the flavors.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Ground cinnamon: Ground cinnamon provides a hint of spice and warmth, enhancing the overall flavor.
Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the egg mixture, ensure you whisk it thoroughly to create a homogenous blend. This will help the bread cubes absorb the mixture evenly, resulting in a more consistent texture throughout the casserole. Additionally, for an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of maple syrup to the mixture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, providing a similar texture and flavor to french bread.
french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and soft, making it a great alternative for a rich and tender casserole.
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 works well in baking and cooking.
milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk has a creamy texture and neutral flavor, making it a good substitute for regular milk.
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 cashew cream: Cashew cream is another dairy-free option that provides a creamy texture and mild flavor.
sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of maple flavor.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that can be used in place of sugar, adding a distinct flavor.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor to the casserole.
vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract can add a unique and pleasant flavor twist to the dish.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices, adding a warm and complex flavor.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the other ingredients.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral flavor.
salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a different texture but can be used in the same amount for a similar flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the French Toast Casserole to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the casserole soggy.
- Transfer the casserole to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Store the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
- For longer storage, consider freezing the casserole. Cut the cooled casserole into individual servings and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. The casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat from frozen, unwrap the individual servings and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until warm.
- For a crispier texture, consider reheating in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few minutes after microwaving or oven heating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover French Toast Casserole in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
- Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through. For a crispier top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.
Microwave Method:
- Place a portion of the French Toast Casserole on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Check and stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
- If not heated through, continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until warm.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add a small amount of butter or oil to the skillet.
- Place slices of the French Toast Casserole in the skillet.
- Cover with a lid and heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and slightly crispy.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the French Toast Casserole pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Check for desired warmth and crispiness before serving.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the French Toast Casserole on a toaster oven tray.
- Cover with foil to keep it moist.
- Heat for about 15-20 minutes, removing the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the French toast casserole at the specified temperature.
Baking dish: Holds the cubed French bread and egg mixture while baking.
Mixing bowl: Used to whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the egg mixture to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
Foil: Covers the baking dish for the initial baking period to prevent the top from browning too quickly.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the milk, heavy cream, and sugar accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
Knife: Used to cut the French bread into cubes.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the French bread.
Cooking spray: Used to grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
Oven mitts: Protect your hands when placing the dish in and out of the oven.
How to Save Time on Making This Dish
Prepare ingredients ahead: Cut the french bread into cubes and measure out the milk, heavy cream, and sugar the night before.
Use a large mixing bowl: This allows you to whisk the eggs and other ingredients more efficiently, ensuring a smooth mixture.
Soak bread overnight: Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and let it soak in the refrigerator overnight for a richer flavor.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven while you assemble the casserole to save time.
Use non-stick spray: Grease the baking dish with non-stick spray for easy cleanup.
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread cut into cubes
- 8 Eggs
- 2 cups Milk
- ½ cup Heavy cream
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a baking dish and place the cubed French bread in it.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, making sure all pieces are well-coated.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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