Dreaming of a breakfast that’s a little fancy yet utterly effortless? This Baked French Toast is pure brunch bliss—tender, custardy bread baked golden and fragrant with vanilla and cinnamon, ready to delight your family or impress your guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Brunch Entertainer’s Dream: This Baked French Toast is perfect for feeding a crowd—pop it in the oven and mingle while it puffs up golden and delicious!
- All the Comfort, None of the Fuss: No standing over a skillet flipping bread; just layer, soak, bake, and serve a tray of cozy, custardy perfection.
- Customizable for Every Craving: The basic recipe is a blank canvas—dress it up or down with countless toppings and mix-ins to suit your style.
- Impossibly Soft and Creamy: The combo of challah, heavy cream, and eggs produces an irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth texture in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Baked French Toast is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a starring role in building those dreamy layers of flavor, from the buttery bread base to the rich, creamy custard and warm cinnamon finish.
- Unsalted Butter: For greasing the baking dish and adding rich, subtle flavor to every slice.
- Challah Bread: This soft, slightly sweet bread soaks up the custard and bakes to pillowy, golden perfection—torn into big, craggy pieces for extra texture.
- Eggs: The secret to that classic French toast custard—six eggs give just the right amount of structure while keeping things tender.
- Heavy Cream: Adds a luxurious creaminess you can taste in every bite, taking the comfort factor over the top.
- Whole Milk: Balances out the cream and gives the custard a lighter, silkier finish.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the whole bake with sweet, comforting aroma—don’t skip it!
- Ground Cinnamon: Warms everything up with that cozy, classic spice you expect from French toast.
- Powdered Sugar (optional): For sprinkling on top for a sweet, snowy finish.
- Maple Syrup (optional): Serve it warm on the side for that signature French toast decadence.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Baked French Toast is how versatile it is. Don’t be afraid to tailor the recipe to your favorite flavors, dietary preferences, or whatever you have on hand—you can truly make it your own!
- Berry Burst: Scatter fresh blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries between the challah layers for fruity pops of color and flavor.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Swap in coconut milk or your favorite plant-based milk and cream alternative to make it dairy-free and just as creamy.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts on top before baking for a delightful crunch.
- Chocolate Lover’s Edition: Toss in a handful of chocolate chips before baking for gooey, melty pockets in every slice.
- Spiced Up: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of orange zest to the custard for a twist.
How to Make Baked French Toast
Step 1: Prep the Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F with a rack in the center. Generously butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish—this not only prevents sticking but adds a subtle buttery flavor as the Baked French Toast puffs up in the oven.
Step 2: Layer the Challah
Tear your loaf of challah into rustic, 1-inch pieces and spread them evenly in the prepared dish. Don’t be precious—the nooks and crannies will soak up all that luscious custard later, giving you the best texture!
Step 3: Whisk the Custard
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until completely smooth—this ensures a silky, even custard that coats every chunk of bread.
Step 4: Pour and Bake
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread pieces, making sure to coat every nook. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the custard is set but the bread is still tender and moist.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Let your Baked French Toast cool for a few minutes before dusting with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve with warmed maple syrup for the ultimate finish—watch that aroma bring everyone running!
Pro Tips for Making Baked French Toast
- Best Bread Choice: If your challah is a day or two old, it will soak up more custard without going mushy—so don’t fear slightly stale bread!
- Even Custard Soak: Take a minute to gently press the bread down after pouring the custard, helping every piece absorb maximum flavor for perfect texture throughout.
- Bake to Your Liking: For a creamy, bread pudding-like center, check at 45 minutes; for more golden crunch, bake closer to 60.
- Make Ahead Magic: You can prep everything the night before and refrigerate; just bake off in the morning for stress-free brunch entertaining.
How to Serve Baked French Toast
Garnishes
Elevate each slice with a gentle snowfall of powdered sugar, a glossy drizzle of warmed maple syrup, or a handful of fresh berries for a burst of color and tartness—it’s the little details that make this Baked French Toast irresistible.
Side Dishes
This comforting bake pairs beautifully with bacon or sausage links for a savory bite, or a bright fruit salad on the side to keep the meal feeling fresh and balanced. For a true brunch spread, add a simple green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Baked French Toast sliced into neat squares on a pretty platter, or scoop it into individual ramekins before baking for a personal touch. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of mint for a restaurant-worthy look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate—they’ll stay fresh and lovely for up to three days, perfect for enjoying as a quick weekday breakfast treat.
Freezing
Baked French Toast freezes surprisingly well! Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic and foil, or store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for a taste of weekend luxury anytime.
Reheating
Reheat slices in the oven at 325°F until warmed through and slightly crisp on top, or pop an individual portion in the microwave for a speedy treat. Add an extra drizzle of syrup and you’re back in brunch heaven!
FAQs
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Can I use another type of bread besides challah?
Absolutely! While challah gives a rich, pillowy texture, you can experiment with brioche, French bread, or even a sturdy sourdough. Just make sure the bread is a bit stale so it won’t fall apart when soaked in the custard.
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Can I prep Baked French Toast the night before?
Yes—one of the joys of this recipe is how well it works as an overnight bake. Assemble the dish, cover, and let it soak in the fridge overnight. Pop it in the oven in the morning for effortless breakfast success!
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How do I know when Baked French Toast is fully cooked?
You’ll know it’s done when the top is puffed and golden, and a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (some slight moisture is okay—the center should be custardy, not dry). If you prefer the top extra crispy, add a few extra minutes.
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What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
For the best texture, reheat your Baked French Toast in the oven at 325°F until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions for one to two minutes, but the top may not be as crisp.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving an easy-yet-elegant breakfast that brings people together, this Baked French Toast is your new go-to. Try it once and watch it become a beloved staple at your table—there’s nothing quite like sharing a warm pan of comfort with those you love.
Print
Baked French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a delightful morning treat with this easy recipe for Baked French Toast. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, this dish is a comforting blend of rich challah bread soaked in a sweet, custardy mixture and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Baked French Toast:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 (16 ounce) loaf challah bread, torn into 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups)
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 3/4 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, for serving (optional)
- 3/4 cup maple syrup, warmed, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center position. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with the butter.
- Layer the bread: Add the challah to the prepared dish in an even layer.
- Prepare the custard mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until fully combined. Pour the egg mixture over the bread. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and challah is browned.
- Serve: Sprinkle with powdered sugar if using. Serve alongside the maple syrup, if using.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approximately 380
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
