Description
Overnight French toast bake brings pure breakfast bliss to your morning table. Layers of bread, creamy custard, and sweet maple syrup create a simple yet elegant morning feast you can savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced 1-inch thick
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) half-and-half
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) whole milk
- ⅔ cup (133 g/4.7 oz) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g/1.8 oz) granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup (57 g/2 oz) unsalted butter
- Maple syrup (for serving)
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and layer French bread slices in a precise, overlapping arrangement to create a solid base for the custard-infused creation.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a smooth, velvety liquid that promises rich, aromatic indulgence.
- Saturate and Rest: Pour the custard evenly over bread slices, gently pressing to ensure complete absorption, then refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
- Baking Ritual: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), unveil the chilled dish, dot with butter fragments, and dust with a generous layer of sugar to create a potential crisp, caramelized crust.
- Final Transformation: Bake for 35-40 minutes until the surface turns golden-brown and puffy, then briefly activate the broiler to achieve a crisp, glistening finish that elevates the entire dish to a culinary masterpiece.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old French bread or brioche for maximum absorption and rich, custardy texture.
- Overnight Soak Strategy: Refrigerating the prepared dish allows bread to completely soak up custard, intensifying flavor and creating luxurious, tender consistency.
- Caramelization Technique: Sprinkling sugar before baking creates a crispy, golden-brown top that adds delightful crunch and sweet caramel notes.
- Broiler Finishing Touch: Brief broiling creates a stunning caramelized surface, transforming an already delicious dish into a restaurant-worthy breakfast masterpiece.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg