Description
This French Toast Breakfast Bake is a deliciously rich and comforting dish perfect for a cozy morning. Featuring cubed brioche bread soaked in a sweet cinnamon-vanilla custard with maple syrup, this bake offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd, it’s a delightful twist on classic French toast baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf of brioche bread, cubed
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time the dish is ready to bake.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and make for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the bread: Place the cubed brioche bread evenly in the greased baking dish, ensuring the bread pieces are spread out for uniform soaking.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully combined. This custard mixture is key to the bake’s creamy texture and sweet flavor.
- Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture over the cubed brioche, pressing down gently so that each piece absorbs the custard evenly.
- Add the maple syrup: Drizzle 1/2 cup of maple syrup on top of the soaked bread to add a luscious sweetness that caramelizes as it bakes.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bake is set in the middle.
- Cool before serving: Remove from the oven and allow the bake to cool for about 10 minutes to let it firm up slightly for easier serving and better flavor.
Notes
- For extra texture, sprinkle chopped nuts or berries on top before baking.
- Use day-old brioche for better absorption of the custard.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with honey or agave nectar for different sweetness profiles.
- Serve with fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.
- Ensure bread cubes are roughly the same size for even cooking.
