Baked French Toast With Brioche Bread

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I’ve got a breakfast treat for you today, my friends. Baked French toast with brioche bread and let me tell you, it’s one of the best things you’ll probably ever eat.

This French toast bake is made with thick slices of buttery brioche bread soaked in a sweet egg mixture, and baked to crispy golden perfection. And of course, it’s all topped with powdered sugar and warm maple syrup.

Two plates of baked French toast with forks and a beige napkin sitting next to them.
Two tacos sitting on a white plate with chopped avocado and cilantro on top.

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    About That Brioche

    First things first, the bread. As you can guess, the single most important ingredient in this recipe is, of course, the soft and luxurious brioche bread. If you haven’t had the pleasure of encountering a brioche loaf, allow me to introduce you and you can thank me later.

    Brioche is a French bread that’s enriched with butter, eggs, and a hint of sweetness. This results in a light, delicate texture and subtle richness that’s absolutely perfect for baked French toast (among other things, haha). And this baked French toast is super easy to make. Let’s talk about it.

    Baked French toast with brioche bread in a casserole dish with a spatula.

    Here’s What You’ll Need To Make Baked French Toast With Brioche Bread

    • Unsalted Butter
    • Brown sugar (I really like to use dark brown sugar for extra richness, but either will work great)
    • Vanilla extract
    • Sea salt
    • Brioche bread (store-bought is perfect, you can find it in the bakery)
    • Eggs
    • Milk (any kind or dairy-free will work fine)
    • Powdered sugar
    • Cinnamon
    • Maple syrup
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    How To Make Baked French Toast

    1. Begin by slicing your brioche bread into triangles and arranging them snugly in a casserole dish. I like to cut the slices diagonally because it looks a little bit fancy and so, so pretty when it comes out of the oven.
    A loaf of brioche bread in a casserole dish with eggs, milk, and a whisk sitting next to it.
    Triangles of bred arranged in a casserole dish with eggs, butter, milk and a whisk sitting next to it.
    1. Next, melt the butter in the microwave and let cool slightly. Then add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt stir until the brown sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
    2. Then add the eggs, 2-3 at a time and whisk them in until all 10 are fully combined.
    A bowl of melted butter and brown sugar with a whisk sitting in it.
    A bowl of melted butter with two eggs cracked in it and a whisk.
    1. Pour in the milk and whisk the egg mixture until it’s even and well blended.
    2. Finally, pour the egg mixture over the brioche slices, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Use a turkey baster to get any dry spots you missed (hey, what can I say, it happens).
    Whisked eggs with milk added in a glass bowl with a whisk.
    Triangles of brioche French toast in a casserole dish ready to be baked.
    1. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least an hour, but up to overnight.
    2. When you’re ready to bake the French toast, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the French toast covered for 20 minutes. Then uncover it for the last 20 minutes and bake until puffy and golden brown on top.
    3. After baking, remove the French toast from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Then sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon over the top and serve with warm maple syrup on the side.
    • Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and recipe instructions below.
    Baked French toast in a casserole dish with syrup and a spatula in the background.

    Tip

    To make the best possible baked French toast, allow the brioche bread to soak in the egg mixture for hours. This ensures every inch of bread is infused with flavor and moisture, and will result in a perfectly tender and decadent baked French toast. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.

    Why Brioche Bread Is The Only Option

    Brioche bread is an exceptional choice for baked French toast because of its unique soft texture and rich flavor profile. The buttery, tender crumb of brioche absorbs the egg mixture beautifully.

    Plus, brioche has a slightly sweet undertone that complements the eggy custard, and adds depth to each bite. Brioche is also a study bread that holds up to the moisture and baking process without ever becoming soggy.

    Have croissants on hand? You’ll LOVE this Croissant French Toast Bake too!

    A plate of French toast sitting with a silver fork and the rest of the pan in the background.

    Tips For Storing And Reheating Baked French Toast

    Great news! Baked French toast is just as delicious reheated as it is right out of the oven, so don’t stress about leftovers. To store leftover French toast, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and placing it in the fridge.

    When you’re ready to reheat it, simply pop individual slices in the toaster or warm the whole pan in a preheated 350 degree oven until heated through.

    Baked French toast in a casserole dish with powdered sugar on top.

    Questions About This Recipe

    Some of my favorites are fresh fruit compote, whipped cream, nut butter drizzle, honey, fruit slices, or even a savory twist with crispy bacon and grated cheese.

    While brioche is recommended for its rich flavor and tenderness, you could also use challah, French bread, or even whole wheat bread.

    You can use non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond milk, coconut milk, or even soy milk, and substitute the butter with a non-dairy alternative like margarine or coconut oil.

    Baked French toast can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.

    It doesn’t make any difference if you’re making breakfast ahead for the whole week or enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch, this baked French toast with brioche bread is guaranteed to fill your belly and leave you craving more (and more). I can’t wait for you to try it. Enjoy!

    Baked French toast with brioche bread in a casserole dish with a spatula.

    Baked French Toast With Brioche Bread

    By: Kristine Underwood
    This baked French toast with brioche bread is made with thick slices of buttery brioche bread, soaked in a sweet egg mixture, and baked to crispy golden perfection. And of course, it's topped with warm maple syrup.
    5 from 7 votes
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Chill time 12 hours
    Total Time 12 hours 45 minutes
    Course Breakfast & Brunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 pieces
    Calories 146 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
    • 1/3 cup brown sugar
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1/2 tsp sea salt
    • 1 loaf brioche bread (sliced thick)
    • 10 eggs
    • 1 1/2 cup milk (any kind or dairy-free)
    • Powdered sugar and cinnamon (for sprinkling )
    • Maple syrup (for serving)

    Instructions

    • Cut the brioche slices in half diagonally to make triangles and carefully arrange them in the bottom of a large rectangular casserole dish.
      1 loaf brioche bread
    • Melt butter in the microwave. Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Stir until smooth. Let cool.
      1/3 cup unsalted butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp sea salt
    • Add the eggs, 2 or 3 at a time and whisk until smooth. Continue until all 10 eggs have been whisked.
      10 eggs
    • Pour in the milk and whisk to combine.
      1 1/2 cup milk
    • Carefully pour the egg mixture over all the slices of French toast.
    • Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate 1 hour to overnight.
    To Bake the French Toast:
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake French toast for 40 minutes, covered for the first 20 minutes. Remove the cover for the last 20 minutes.
    • Before serving sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon over the top. Serve with warm maple syrup.

    Notes

    *The nutritional information is for the prepared French toast only and does not include the maple syrup or other toppings.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2 piecesCalories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 217mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 193IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 1mg

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    Recipe Rating




    15 Comments

    1. Love this recipe! It’s easy to make and is so, so good! And it looks gorgeous after baking. May family was impressed!5 stars

      1. Hey Amy! Thanks so much! Isn’t it though, I never get tired of looking at it – it’s just pretty! Thanks for the review!

    2. I’m always looking for fun new breakfast recipes, and found this on Pinterest. Thanks so much for sharing, it’s incredible! 🙂5 stars

      1. Oh, I’m so glad, Nathan! Thanks for taking a minute to comment – it’s appreciated!

    3. This is such a great recipe! Love these cookies – thank you for sharing!!!5 stars

      1. It’s my pleasure Sonia. Thank YOU for the kind review, I’m trilled you loved the cookies too!

    4. I made this french toast for breakfast this morning and it was amazing! I love that it was baked. So easy!5 stars

      1. Thank you so much Tayler! I’m so glad you enjoyed the French toast, it’s a weekly staple over here! Haha!

    5. What a beautiful meal. Brioche bread is perfect for this, and it was so easy to prepare and tasted delicious!5 stars

      1. Thank you so much Justine! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed it!

    6. Delicious for Sunday brunch! I loved this recipe so much! Thank you!5 stars

      1. You bet, and thank YOU Ned! So glad you enjoyed the French toast!

    7. Hi! We made the recipe as stated. It was good but seemed a bit soggier than your photos show it. Any suggestions of how to avoid that? Thanks.

    8. Do you have go soak
      It overnight. I forgot 🤦🏻‍♀️

      1. Hi Joanne! Yes overnight helps the bread really soak up the egg mixture. 🙂