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French Toast Casserole Recipe

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3.9 from 3 reviews

This French Toast Casserole is a delicious and easy make-ahead breakfast dish featuring cubed thick-cut bread soaked in a rich custard mixture, topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for holiday mornings or brunch gatherings, it combines the classic flavors of French toast in a convenient casserole format.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 12 slices thick-cut white bread (often called “Texas toast”)
  • 2 cups fat free Half and Half (or whole milk)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • Syrup and powdered sugar for serving

Streusel Topping

  • 8 tablespoons butter (chilled and diced into small cubes)
  • ⅔ cup flour
  • ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or casserole dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Cube the bread: Cut the thick-cut bread slices into 1-inch cubes and evenly fill the prepared pan with these bread cubes.
  3. Make the custard mixture: In a large liquid measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the half and half (or whole milk), eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar until smooth and well combined.
  4. Soak the bread: Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces are well coated with custard so no dry bread remains. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and set it aside.
  5. Prepare the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut the chilled butter cubes into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press the streusel mixture a bit with your fingers to incorporate the butter further.
  6. Refrigerate overnight: Cover the bowl containing streusel tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate both the streusel and the bread casserole for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the bread to soak through.
  7. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole dish and cover it with foil to prevent drying out.
  8. Bake covered: Bake the casserole for 30 minutes covered with foil to help the custard set and bread cook evenly.
  9. Add topping and finish baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the casserole, and continue baking uncovered for another 20 to 25 minutes until the bread is fully cooked and to your preferred texture.
  10. Serve: Remove from oven, drizzle with syrup, dust with powdered sugar if desired, cut into squares, and serve warm for a comforting breakfast treat.

Notes

  • For best flavor and texture, soak the casserole and chilling the streusel topping overnight.
  • Use thick-cut bread like Texas toast for a hearty texture that holds up well to soaking.
  • Feel free to substitute half and half with whole milk for a lighter option or cream for a richer custard.
  • Adjust the baking time depending on how moist or dry you prefer your French toast casserole.
  • Make sure to cover the casserole while baking initially to avoid over-browning the top before the custard cooks through.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/french-toast-casserole-recipe/