French Toast Bake with Brioche
Fluffy, custardy brioche is infused with juicy berries in this make-ahead French Toast Bake with Brioche. Just assemble the night before and bake in the morning – perfect for holidays or lazy weekends.
Brioche bread transforms this bake into something decadent with its rich texture absorbing the custard without turning soggy. The overnight soak creates a deeper flavor while the fresh berries add natural sweetness to every bite. It’s versatile and forgiving, working with sliced or cubed bread, and adapts to your favorite add-ins – think chocolate chips or toasted nuts!
Whether you’re hosting a special brunch or treating yourself to a slow morning, this casserole is a game-changer. Pair it with virgin mimosas for a crowd, or savor it with your morning coffee. If you love all things “French toast”, be sure to try our French Toast Croissant Casserole, French Toast with Hawaiian Bread, or these cute French Toast Cupcakes.
What is French toast bake with brioche?
While traditional French toast might do the trick for those everyday breakfasts, this French toast bake with brioche is the ultimate indulgence. It’s ideal for celebrating something special, like Mother’s Day, Christmas morning, or even just a lazy weekend brunch.
The soft, buttery brioche soaks up a rich custard infused with vanilla and cinnamon, transforming into a dish that’s irresistibly tender in the center and golden-crisp on top. The best part? It’s far simpler than it looks. Just toss everything into a casserole dish, let it soak overnight, and bake it to perfection the next morning. After all, who doesn’t love a make-ahead breakfast that feels like a treat?
Drizzle your baked French toast brioche with maple syrup, dust it with powdered sugar,or pile on extra fresh berries for a burst of color and sweetness. This brioche french toast recipe is as versatile as it is delicious. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, it’s the breakfast (or brunch) upgrade you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients needed to make French toast bake with brioche
- Brioche bread loaf: The buttery richness and fluffy texture of brioche bread makes it ideal for soaking up the egg custard. Use plain or cinnamon brioche for extra warmth. I’ve also used it to make this French Toast with Brioche and Banana recipe.
- Eggs: Creates the custard base, adding structure and richness.
- Whole milk: Yields a luxuriously creamy texture without heaviness. For extra decadence, substitute with half-and-half or a splash of heavy cream. You could also use a non-dairy alternative, although this may change the flavor and richness of the dish.
- Pure maple syrup: Sweetens the custard naturally. Honey or granulated sugar work in a pinch.
- Cinnamon: Adds classic warmth. Cardamom or nutmeg make wonderful alternatives.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the custard’s depth of flavor.
- Almond extract: A subtle nutty twist that sets this brioche French toast bake apart.
- Fresh berries: Raspberries and blueberries add bright, juicy pockets of flavor and texture. Swap with strawberries, thawed frozen berries (dried well), or omit the fruit entirely for a plain version. I like to add berries (or any fruit) before baking this dish as it allows them to release their juices and infuse the entire dish with fruity flavor. You can certainly add them after baking, just before serving.
How do you make this brioche French toast bake?
Prepare the brioche & custard:
- Cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes and arrange evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cinnamon until fully blended and smooth.
Assemble & bake:
- Pour custard evenly over brioche cubes, gently pressing down with a spatula to ensure all bread is saturated.
- Scatter fresh berries (if using) over the top, lightly pressing them into the custard.
- Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight for maximum absorption).
Bake and serve:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake covered initially, then uncover and continue baking until the top is golden-brown and the center springs back when touched.
- Cool slightly, then drizzle with maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Serving
Enjoy this French toast bake as the star of your breakfast or brunch! Pair it with a virgin mimosa for those special occasions, alongside a dollop of whipped cream and drizzle of mixed berry compote. For a complete meal, serve it alongside homemade fruit salad or tangy yogurt dip.
Sandy’s tips and substitutions:
- Storage: Baked French toast can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness.
- Freeze: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm single servings in the microwave, or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until heated through.
- Make-ahead: This dish is ideal for preparing in advance! Soak overnight in the fridge, then add 10 minutes to the baking time if starting with a cold dish.
- Use day-old bread: Slightly stale brioche absorbs the custard better without turning mushy.
- Type of bread: Grocery stores often carry brioche, especially during the holidays. You can substitute brioche with challah, French demi-baguettes, sourdough, or Texas toast for a heartier texture.
- Uniform bread cubes: Cut the bread into even 1-inch cubes for consistent soaking and baking.
- Custard mixture soaking: For richer flavor and custard-like texture, refrigerate the assembled casserole overnight to let the bread fully absorb the mixture.
- Allow for cooling: Let the brioche French toast casserole rest 5–10 minutes after baking to help the custard set for cleaner slices.
- For a golden-brown topping: Bake uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes to crisp the top.
- Toast the bread: Dry the bread cubes overnight or toast at 300°F for 8 minutes to prevent sogginess.
- Fruity twist: Swap the berries for bananas, apples, peaches, or mangoes.
- Add-ins: Fold in chopped nuts, citrus zest, spices (ginger, cloves), or dollops of cream cheese for decadence.
- Garnish: Top with sliced almonds, coconut flakes, powdered sugar, honey, berry syrups, or whipped cream.
More scrumptious breakfast recipes you may want to try:
- Strawberry Breakfast Yogurt Cake
- Blueberry Coconut Baked Oatmeal
- Chocolate Buttermilk Waffles
- Pear Farro Blender Pancakes
- Fluffy Strata Recipe
Get the Recipe:
French Toast Bake with Brioche
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche bread, 16-18 oz
- 7 eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ¼ cups fresh berries, raspberry and blueberries
- syrup and powdered sugar for garnish
Equipment
Instructions
- Cut the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes evenly in the greased 9×13 baking dish with butter or oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the brioche cubes, ensuring that all the bread is coated.
- Add berries (optional) and press down slightly on the bread to help it absorb the custard. Cover the dish tightly and allow the brioche and custard mixture to soak for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15-20 more minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set. Cool slightly and drizzle with some maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness, if desired.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
