Banana Bread Brioche French Toast
A heartier take on French toast and banana bread, this Banana Bread Brioche French Toast recipe features brown sugar custardy brioche slices!
Are you getting excited for the holidays? We love this banana breakfast casserole, which is delicious served with bacon! And friends, I want to tell you about my new book out this year, Big Boards for Families! You can preorder it now!
Banana Bread Brioche French Toast
I think you’re really going to love this French toast and banana bread combo recipe, with custardy brioche slices, brown sugar, and walnuts!
I’m a little obsessed with the nostalgic feeling that the holidays bring. I automatically think of food, my mom’s cooking (and her sisters’), and then my own cooking, when my family was young. Holiday recipes are so special!
Now that Paul and I are empty-nesters, a couple of our kids will be home during the holidays this year, and we can’t wait.
Perfect Holiday French Toast Casserole
This recipe belongs on the breakfast table this year! Anything with brown sugar and butter and walnuts is, well, heavenly!
The smells and tastes just make me happy! :)
This recipe screams “make me for brunch on the next brisk fall morning,” or your family will love me on Thanksgiving morn!” :)
The brown sugar and butter melt with the bananas to create a syrup on the bottom of the French toast. The walnuts provide a crunchy texture that contrasts wonderfully with the custardy brioche slices.
Here are the ingredients you will need:
- Eggs
- Kosher salt
- Vanilla
- Heavy cream
- Half and half or whole milk
- Brioche bread
- Brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Cinnamon + nutmeg
- Walnuts or pecans
- Bananas
- Powdered sugar to garnish
When we make French toast, it’s typically made with leftover day-old bread, like a French bread loaf. But lately we’ve been loving brioche bread!
Here’s a tip: Most grocery stores carry brioche bread, especially during the holidays.
Fancy up your breakfast table for the holidays with this easy recipe, and set out maple syrup and powdered sugar for dusting!
I love this comforting quote for fall, and these beautiful magnolia leaves that I bought at Trader Joe’s.
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” –Sarah Addison Allen
ENJOY!
Get the Recipe:
Banana Bread Brioche French Toast
Ingredients
- 5 eggs + 3 yolks
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 c heavy cream
- 1/2 half and half or whole milk
- 10 slices brioche bread
Banana Brown Sugar Syrup
- 1 c brown sugar
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla, divided
- 1/2 c chopped walnuts or pecans
- 4 bananas cut into 1’’ rounds
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- Butter or spray for greasing
- Powdered sugar to garnish
Instructions
- Lay your bread slices onto a large sheet pan in a single layer. Set aside.
- Mix eggs, yolks, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp kosher salt, heavy cream, and milk together in a bowl. Whisk until well combined, then pour over the bread slices. Flip the slices to ensure they are fully saturated. Allow bread to soak for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 hour if your bread slices are especially thick) in the refrigerator.
- With butter or cooking spray, grease a round 12’’ (or similar size) stone or ceramic dish.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- With about 10 minutes of soaking left, begin to make the brown sugar syrup.
- In a medium skillet, melt the butter and brown sugar together, and once they are well combined, add 1 tsp of vanilla and 1 tsp salt and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and pour into the bottom of the greased dish. In a single layer, spread out the banana slices and walnuts. Set aside.
- Using kitchen shears, cut the soaked brioche slices into thirds, then layer them in a circular fashion, starting on the outer rim and working your way towards the center, until the bananas are covered. Sprinkle the 3 Tbsp of brown sugar on top, then place in the oven on the center rack.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until the bread is golden on top.
- Serve warm with a dash of powdered sugar on top!
