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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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!