Description
This Crockpot French Toast Casserole offers an effortless and comforting breakfast solution perfect for family gatherings or lazy weekend mornings. Cubed stale brioche bread is soaked in a flavorful custard made of eggs, milk, and warm spices, then slow-cooked in a Crockpot for a luscious, caramelized, and golden-brown dish that’s both rich and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Mixture
- 8 large Eggs
- 3 cups Whole milk (or half and half for richer custard)
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp Nutmeg
- 0.25 tsp Fine sea salt
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
Bread
- 1.5 loaves Brioche bread, cubed (preferably stale)
Topping
- 0.5 cups Unsalted butter, room temperature (cubed)
- 0.5 cups Light brown sugar, packed
Others
- Softened butter (for greasing the Crockpot)
Instructions
- Prepare Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, fine sea salt, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined to form a fragrant custard base.
- Soak Brioche: Gently combine half of the cubed brioche bread with half of the egg custard mixture, stirring to coat each cube evenly. Repeat this process with the remaining bread and custard mixture.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the bread to soak up the custard fully for a rich texture.
- Make Topping: In a separate small bowl, mix the cubed unsalted butter with the packed light brown sugar until you reach a crumbly, coarse mixture. Cover and chill until ready to use.
- Prepare Crockpot: Grease the insert of the Crockpot thoroughly with softened butter to prevent sticking and add richness.
- Assemble Casserole: Layer the soaked brioche cubes evenly inside the greased Crockpot insert. Sprinkle the prepared butter and brown sugar crumbly topping uniformly over the bread.
- Cook: Cover the Crockpot and cook on the Low setting for 7 hours or on the High setting for 3 to 4 hours. The casserole is done when it is puffed up and has a golden brown crust.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving to make slicing easier and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Using stale brioche bread helps absorb the custard better and prevents sogginess.
- For a richer custard, substitute half the whole milk with half and half.
- Refrigeration time can be extended overnight to improve flavor absorption and texture.
- Make sure to grease the Crockpot insert well to avoid the casserole sticking.
- This dish is excellent for meal prep and can be reheated gently before serving.
