Soft Spice Baked French Toast

A comforting, custardy baked French toast infused with warm spices, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or a relaxed weekend breakfast treat.

I love making this casserole on weekends because it fills the house with the warm scent of cinnamon and nutmeg and brings everyone to the table.

Ingredients

• Bread: 1 loaf (about 450 g) brioche or challah day-old sliced thick
• Custard: 4 large eggs 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream 1/3 cup (65 g) light brown sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/8 tsp ground cardamom Pinch of salt
• Topping: 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter melted 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Optional Garnishes: Maple syrup Powdered sugar Fresh berries

Instructions

Grease the dish:

Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Arrange bread:

Arrange the bread slices in the dish overlapping slightly.

Make custard:

In a large bowl whisk together eggs milk cream brown sugar vanilla cinnamon ginger nutmeg cardamom and salt until smooth.

Pour custard:

Pour the custard evenly over the bread Gently press the bread down to help it soak up the mixture.

Prepare topping:

In a small bowl combine melted butter brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping Drizzle evenly over the casserole.

Refrigerate:

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).

Preheat oven:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake:

Uncover and bake for 40 45 minutes until golden brown and just set in the center.

Serve:

Let cool slightly Serve warm topped with maple syrup powdered sugar or fresh berries as desired.

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This recipe always brings my family together for a cozy morning and warm memories.

Notes

For a nutty twist add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping Substitute half-and-half for the milk cream mixture if preferred Try adding diced apples or pears between bread layers for extra flavor For a vegan version use plant milk egg replacer and vegan bread.

Required Tools

9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish Large mixing bowl Whisk Small bowl Measuring cups and spoons

Allergen Information

Contains Eggs Milk (Dairy) Wheat (Gluten) May contain Tree nuts if added as variation Always check bread and ingredient labels for allergens.

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This French toast casserole is the perfect weekend brunch treat that can be prepared the night before for easy mornings.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of bread works best?

Day-old brioche or challah sliced thickly provides the ideal texture and absorbs custard well.

→ Can I prepare it ahead of time?

Yes, refrigerate the assembled dish for at least 30 minutes or overnight to allow flavors to meld.

→ What spices are used?

The custard includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom for a warm, aromatic flavor.

→ How is the topping made?

A mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon is drizzled over before baking to create a caramelized crust.

→ Are there any suggested variations?

Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping or layer in diced apples or pears to enhance texture and taste.

→ Can this be made vegan?

Use plant-based milk, an egg replacer, and vegan bread as substitutes to accommodate vegan preferences.