Easy French Toast Bake Recipe

Discover a twist on French toast with this baked delight. Cubes of French bread bathe in a rich blend of eggs, cream, and spices before baking to a golden finish. Perfect for family breakfasts or brunch, it delivers comforting flavors with an inviting texture, crowned by warm maple syrup.

I love making this Easy French Toast Bake for a quick breakfast that still feels like a treat. I use a 1 lb loaf of French bread, cut into cubes, mixed with 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, and 1 cup heavy cream.

It may sound heavy but these ingredients provide good protein and fat that help keep you full longer. Adding 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt gives it that signature warm flavor you expect from a French Toast Bake Quick recipe.

I drizzle 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter over the mix to bring all flavors together. Then, its all baked until golden and served with warm maple syrup.

I’ve found that this healthier French Toast Casserole is perfect for brunch, whether you are feeding just your family or hosting a larger crowd.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s super easy to make and I dont have to wait overnight for it to be ready. I really enjoy how the egg, milk, and heavy cream mix together with the spices like cinnamon and nutmeg giving it a really warm, comforting flavor. I like that every piece of the French bread gets perfectly soaked in the custard so when it bakes, it comes out soft on the inside and has a crispy, golden top. And bottom line, topping it off with warm maple syrup just makes it all even sweeter and the perfect treat for a relaxed morning with my family.

Ingredients

• French bread is carb rich and gives a soft texture for the bake.
• Eggs add protein and help bind the ingredients together in a messy but tasty way.
• Whole milk supplies creaminess and extra nutrients making the dish rich and smooth.
• Heavy cream boosts flavor and provides a velvety touch to the sweet mix.
• Granulated sugar makes it sweet and helps brown the top for a crunchy finish.
• Vanilla extract gives extra flavor and aroma that really makes it extra tempting.
• Warm maple syrup adds natural sweetness and a unique taste that compliments the dish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 loaf French bread (about 1 lb), cut into 1 inch cubes
• 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Warm maple syrup for serving

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

2. Cut the French bread into 1 inch cubes and spread them evenly in the dish.

3. In a large bowl, lightly beat the 6 eggs until they’re just combined.

4. Add in the 2 cups of whole milk, 1 cup of heavy cream, and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. Mix them with the eggs until smooth.

5. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

6. Pour in the 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter and mix it all together well.

7. Slowly pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread cubes so every piece gets soaked up all the yummy flavors.

8. Let the dish sit for about 10 minutes so the bread can really absorb the mixture.

9. Put the baking dish in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.

10. Remove from the oven and serve warm with plenty of warm maple syrup for extra deliciousness.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. 9×13 inch baking dish (greased with butter or non-stick spray)
3. Knife and cutting board (for cutting the French bread into 1 inch cubes)
4. Large bowl (to lightly beat the eggs and mix the liquids)
5. Measuring cups (for the milk, cream, and sugar)
6. Measuring spoons (for vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and melted butter)
7. Whisk or fork (to combine eggs with the other ingredients)
8. Timer or clock (to keep track of absorption time and baking time)

FAQ

Easy French Toast Bake Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• French Bread: If you dont have French bread you can use Italian or challah bread instead, they work pretty well in this recipe
• Whole Milk: You can swap whole milk with almond or soy milk, though it might affect the flavor a bit
• Heavy Cream: If you’re missing heavy cream you can mix 2/3 cup milk with 1/3 cup melted butter to get a similar richness
• Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar or coconut sugar can be used if you don’t have granulated sugar and you’ll still end up with a tasty bake

Pro Tips

1. If you can, use day-old French bread. Fresh bread doesnt soak up the custard as well, so using stale bread makes it more flavorful and keeps it from falling apart when you cut it.
2. Don’t rush the soaking step. Let the bread sit in the custard a little longer (like 10 to 15 minutes) so that every piece really gets its fill of that rich, sweet mix.
3. Make sure your oven is properly preheated. Even if it seems small, a properly warmed oven will help the custard set nicely and give the top that perfect golden crust.
4. Grease your pan really well with butter. It might feel like a waste, but a buttered dish stops sticking and helps the edges crisp up better during baking.