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Be the star of brunch with this Brioche French Toast Casserole. Creamy and custardy, you’ll feel like you’re eating dessert for breakfast!
French toast is already a breakfast and brunch classic, but turn it into a casserole and you have yourself something more like bread pudding, my absolute favorite dessert. Super soft and fork tender, you’ll love how almost creamy and custardy this turns out! In this recipe, I cube the bread. This allows the bread to absorb all the liquid better and become the perfect consistency you are looking for. I also use brioche, this bread is best for French toast, but especially French toast casserole because the soft and thick texture of this bread makes it easy for it to soak up all of the egg mixture. It holds on to the liquids and flavors perfectly. Enjoy this at your next brunch! How could you not?!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of brioche bread – this soaks up the liquid mixture perfectly
- 6 large eggs – this makes the perfect custardy taste that I love
- Half and half – some people use heavy cream or whole milk in a recipe like this, but I find half and half to make the perfect mixture
- Brown sugar – adds the perfect, warm sweetness to the custard
- Vanilla extract – use the best you’ve got!
- Apple pie spice – or ½ teaspoon cinnamon with a dash of nutmeg and allspice
How to Make Brioche French Toast Casserole
Follow these steps for the perfect French toast casserole!
- Step 1: Cut up the brioche into 1 inch cubes.
- Step 2: Before evenly spreading the cubes over your 9×13 baking dish, grease the dish with butter.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and apple pie spice (or spices). Pour egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes.
- Step 4: Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the fridge. Keep refrigerated for at least 2 hours, but it’s best if refrigerated overnight. This creates the best texture.
- Step 5: When ready to bake, uncover and bake at 350℉ for 45-55 minutes or until cooked through. Do the “toothpick” test and if it comes out clean, it’s ready.
- Step 6: Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.
- Step 7: Serve with fruit and/or whip cream (optional).
Brioche Substitutes
If you cant find brioche, there are other breads that will also work great for this recipe. My top choice after brioche is Challah bread. Because it is made with eggs, it is very similar to brioche. It is slightly sweet and very soft. Another substitute is to use are croissants. These are buttery and delicious. Although they are a pastry and not a bread, they are similar to brioche and will absorb the custard mixture nicely.
The Best Syrups
Try this breakfast casserole with one of our homemade syrups! We have something for every tastebud, from classic maple syrup, to Hawaiian coconut syrup, to sweet strawberry syrup, to Christmassy gingerbread syrup, to warming buttermilk syrup, to cozy pumpkin spice syrup, to creamy yogurt syrup, to smooth caramel syrup (my personal favorite with this recipe)! You really can’t go wrong with any of these incredible syrups. There’s something for everyone.
Don’t Forget the Toppings
To make a beautiful plate, top with fresh berries such as fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. For a different flavor, try sliced apples or even applesauce. I never say no to sliced peaches! For the final touch, a BIG dollop of whipped cream, and maybe even a drizzle of syrup. Sprinkle with powdered sugar for an elegant look, and maybe even a small dash of some warming spice like cinnamon on top.
Tips for Making Brioche French Toast Casserole
Use day old bread – Bread that is a day or two old will absorb the custard better and will actually give the French toast a better texture.
Let it sit overnight – I will almost always let the casserole sit overnight in the fridge. It will turn out better and it’s less work in the morning. I just “wake and bake”. Letting it sit overnight gives the bread more time to soak up the custard mixture. It’s a win-win.
Make your own whipped cream – Top your French toast with our homemade whipped cream, it is so much better than store bought!
What to Serve with French Toast Casserole
The casserole will be the star of the show, so to keep things simple you can serve with eggs, bacon, or just a couple sausage links. I like to have a little bit of protein to balance out the breakfast but it is also great on its own.
More French Toast Recipes
Egg Nog French Toast
Hawaiian French Toast
Caramel Apple French Toast Casserole
Strawberry and Cream Cheese French Toast
How to Make French Toast
Cinnamon French Toast and Caramel Syrup
Brioche French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 brioche bread loaf (appx. 14 ounces)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice (or ½ teaspoon cinnamon with a dash of nutmeg and allspice)
Instructions
- Cut brioche into 1-inch cubes.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter and spread brioche cubes evenly throughout the pan.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and apple pie spice (or spice mix). Pour mixture evenly over the brioche cubes.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but it's best if refrigerated overnight.
- When ready to bake, uncover and bake at 350℉ for 45-55 minutes or until cooked through. Do the "toothpick" test and if it comes out clean, it's ready.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes then serve warm with dusted powdered sugar.
- Optional: Serve with whipped cream, syrup, and berries.
