BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
Sometimes we need a deliciously decadent breakfast for special occasions or celebrations. This baked French toast casserole fits the bill perfectly. Buttery brioche bread and fresh berries are baked in a custard mixture with a cinnamon streusel topping for a hearty breakfast the whole family will love.
WHY YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS EASY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
- Easy: This delicious breakfast takes just a few minutes to make with basic ingredients. Everyone gets to enjoy a yummy French toast breakfast, but the cook (you) doesn't have to stand at the stove for an hour flipping traditional French toast slices. And who doesn't love easy breakfasts that you can just put in the oven? (Try my baked huevos rancheros, Dutch baby pancake, or ham and cheese frittata if you're looking for another great oven baked breakfast recipe).
- Make ahead: I love making this easy French toast casserole recipe the night before a holiday morning, or one of those lazy Sunday mornings. Then I can just pop it in the oven the next day, and breakfast is done.
- Customizable: I'm using frozen blueberries here, but I also make this easy French toast bake with strawberries, raspberries, or any other frozen or fresh fruit.
INGREDIENT NOTES
FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
- Brioche Bread: Buttery, rich brioche is perfect for an overnight French toast casserole. Other breads that will work are challah bread, sourdough bread, or French bread. I wouldn't use regular bread for this French toast recipe because it won't hold up well to overnight soaking. Bread that isn't too fresh works best, so this is the perfect recipe for using up stale bread. I use gluten-free brioche. If you need a gluten-free French toast bake, use whatever gluten-free bread you have, but it's best to toast it first.
- Eggs: Eggs form the base of the creamy egg custard.
- Milk: I use a non-dairy milk for this casserole recipe. My current favorite is cashew milk, but I have also made it with almond milk and oat milk. Use whole milk or two percent milk, if you prefer. You can make this brioche French toast casserole richer and more decadent by using half milk and half heavy cream.
- Sugar: Light brown sugar gives the French toast casserole a nice caramel flavor. You can use white sugar instead.
- Blueberries: You can use frozen or fresh blueberries, or any other fruit. You can also omit the fruit for baking and serve it as a topping for this make ahead breakfast.
STREUSEL TOPPING
- Flour: I use gluten-free all purpose flour, but feel free to use regular all-purpose if gluten isn't a concern.
- Sugar: Light brown sugar works best for the cinnamon sugar topping.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg
- Butter: Use real butter and it needs to be cold and firm to cut easily into the topping ingredients. If you have unsalted butter, use it, but if you use salted butter, you can omit the pinch of salt in the recipe
