Description
This Christmas French Toast Casserole is a delightful and festive breakfast dish perfect for holiday mornings. Cubed French bread soaked in a rich mixture of eggs, milk, cream, and warm spices is baked to golden perfection, creating a custardy, comforting casserole. Finished with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar, this recipe offers a sweet, indulgent start to any celebratory day.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, cubed
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Serving
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s ready for baking the casserole evenly.
- Whisk Ingredients: In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Bread and Mixture: Gently add the cubed French bread into the egg mixture. Stir carefully to coat all the bread pieces without breaking them up too much.
- Transfer to Dish: Pour the soaked bread mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dish and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the bread to soak up the custard fully.
- Bake: Remove the dish from the refrigerator, then bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set in the center.
- Serve: Before serving, drizzle the casserole generously with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Notes
- Refrigerating overnight allows the bread to absorb the custard thoroughly, resulting in a moist and flavorful casserole.
- Use day-old French bread for better texture as it holds the custard without becoming too mushy.
- For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
- Adjust spices to taste for a more personalized flavor profile.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture experience.
