Soft Spice Baked French Toast

A comforting, custardy baked French toast infused with warm spices, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or a relaxed weekend breakfast treat.

A cozy dish perfect for sharing with family and friends on chilly mornings.

Ingredients

• Bread: 1 loaf (about 450 g) brioche or challah, day-old, sliced thick
• Custard: 4 large eggs, 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk, 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, 1/3 cup (65 g) light brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cardamom, Pinch of salt
• Topping: 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, melted, 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Optional Garnishes: Maple syrup, Powdered sugar, Fresh berries

Instructions

Cook complete meals by frying, sautéing, simmering, and boiling with easy nonstick cleanup every day.

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Step 1:

Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2:

Arrange the bread slices in the dish, overlapping slightly.

Step 3:

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt until smooth.

Step 4:

Pour the custard evenly over the bread. Gently press the bread down to help it soak up the mixture.

Step 5:

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the topping. Drizzle evenly over the casserole.

Step 6:

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).

Step 7:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 8:

Uncover and bake for 40 45 minutes, until golden brown and just set in the center.

Step 9:

Let cool slightly. Serve warm, topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries as desired.

Cook complete meals by frying, sautéing, simmering, and boiling with easy nonstick cleanup every day.

Check price on Amazon

Cook complete meals by frying, sautéing, simmering, and boiling with easy nonstick cleanup every day.

Check price on Amazon

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This dish has become a Sunday morning tradition, bringing the family together around the table.

Notes

Try adding diced apples or pears between bread layers for extra flavor. For a vegan version, use plant milk, egg replacer, and vegan bread.

Required Tools

9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, Large mixing bowl, Whisk, Small bowl, Measuring cups and spoons

Allergen Information

Contains: Eggs, Milk (Dairy), Wheat (Gluten). May contain: Tree nuts if added as variation. Always check bread and ingredient labels for allergens.

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Organize kitchen cleaning supplies and cooking essentials on the wall to keep prep areas tidy and accessible.

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This soft spice baked French toast casserole is sure to impress with its rich flavors and comforting texture.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of bread works best for this dish?

Day-old brioche or challah sliced thick are ideal for absorbing the custard while maintaining structure during baking.

→ Can I prepare it ahead of time?

Yes, after soaking the bread in the custard, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight to enhance flavors.

→ What spices are used to flavor this dish?

A blend of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom adds warm, aromatic notes to the custard.

→ Are there any topping variations suggested?

The buttery topping combines brown sugar and cinnamon, and you can add chopped pecans or walnuts for texture and flavor.

→ Is this suitable for special diets?

It's vegetarian friendly, and can be adapted to vegan diets by using plant-based milk, egg replacer, and vegan bread substitutes.