Can I use a different type of bread?

I love the brioche in this recipe and I haven't tested other breads. You can certainly try it, but I wouldn't go with regular sandwich bread unless it is on the hearty side. It could turn into mush.

What toppings go on french toast?

I like to sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of mine or powdered sugar. Serve with warm maple syrup and berries on the side. You could also top french toast with pecans or add berries or peaches on top with whipped cream. There are so many options!

Can I use regular milk instead of half and half?

The half and half and heavy cream with the eggs creates a custard type of texture in the brioche, which is my favorite part of the dish. If you have to use a substitute for the cream, choose whole milk.

What makes brioche different to most breads?

Rather than typical bread made from flour, yeast, water and salt, brioche is prepared with eggs, milk, and glorious butter. This separates brioche from the regular bread and places it on a pedestal.

Brioche French Toast Casserole

Name: Brioche French Toast Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: french
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon salted butter for greasing dish; 1 (17 ounce) brioche bread loaf; 4 eggs, whisked; 1 and 1/2 cups of half and half; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup white sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Optional Toppings: An additional 1/8 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon mixed together for topping before baking. Powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, berries and/or whipped cream for serving

Description

This Brioche French Toast Casserole is perfect to bake for breakfast, brunch, and all holidays. It only requires 5 minutes of prep time and you don't have to keep flipping french toast while entertaining. Plus, it feeds a crowd!

Ingredients

Scale

1 teaspoon salted butter for greasing dish
1 (17 ounce) brioche bread loaf
4 eggs, whisked
1 and 1/2 cups of half and half
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings: An additional 1/8 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon mixed together for topping before baking. Powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, berries and/or whipped cream for serving

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Begin by buttering a 9x13 casserole dish.
Chop the bread slices into approximately 1 inch cubes. These do not have to be perfect, just give them a rough chop into small squares. Place the chopped cubes into the casserole dish.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together 4 eggs.
In a large bowl, whisk together the cinnamon and sugar. Add in half and half, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk again to blend really well.
Pour the custard mixture over the bread in the casserole dish. Take a spoon and give the bread a gentle toss to make sure all of the bread is soaked in the liquid.
Optional: Top with a little more cinnamon sugar mixture if you like it really sweet. I use 1/8 cup white sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
Bake in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes on a middle rack, not too close to the top burner.
After it is baked, allow the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before adding powdered sugar, and maple syrup.
Serve and enjoy!

Equipment

casserole dish

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wusthof knife

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Notes

Add berries, maple syrup, peaches, nuts, whipped cream, or anything else that sounds amazing.

This recipe is not intended to sit after preparation before baking. Bake immediately when you add the custard into the casserole dish, to avoid a soggy texture.

Be sure the eggs are whisked really well before adding them into the custard mix.

I have only tested this recipe in a 9x13 dish. I don't recommend other sizes.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: breakfast
Method: oven
Cuisine: french