Newbie’s Dream: Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s French bread casserole turns ordinary ingredients into a breakfast masterpiece that dances across your palate with irresistible charm.

Soft, custardy layers embrace rich, warm spices in a morning symphony of flavors.

Golden-edged bread soaks up a luxurious custard, promising pure comfort in every forkful.

Each bite whispers stories of rustic kitchens and weekend indulgence.

Creamy textures and subtle sweetness weave together like a culinary love song.

This dish transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary morning celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients You’ll Need for French Bread Casserole

• French Bread: Choose day-old bread for better absorption and texture.
• Eggs: Select fresh, large eggs for rich custard consistency.
• Milk: Whole milk provides creamier, more luxurious flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Opt for high-fat content for silky smooth texture.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Use fresh, clump-free sugars for even sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Select pure vanilla for robust, authentic flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Use fresh, sifted flour for smooth crumble texture.
• Brown Sugar: Pick moist, soft brown sugar for better binding.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Choose freshly ground spices for intense aroma.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for balanced flavor enhancement.

• Butter: Select high-quality, cold unsalted butter.
• Maple Syrup: Choose pure, grade A maple syrup.
• Fresh Blueberries: Pick plump, firm berries without blemishes.
• Powdered Sugar: Use fine, sifted powdered sugar for elegant dusting.

Equipment for Making French Bread Casserole

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for whisking eggs and combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for creating the crumble topping with dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend eggs and other liquid components evenly.
• Pastry cutter: Great for cutting cold butter into dry ingredients, creating crumbly texture.
• 13-by-9-inch baking pan: Provides ideal space for layering bread and soaking mixture.
• Aluminum foil: Helps cover dish during refrigeration and initial baking stages.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Sharp knife: Useful for cutting bread into even chunks.
• Refrigerator: Allows bread mixture to rest and absorb flavors overnight.
• Oven: Bakes casserole to golden perfection.

Steps for Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole

• Prep the Pan and Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F and lovingly coat a large baking dish with butter, making sure every nook and cranny is covered.

• Create the Bread Base

Whisk together eggs, creamy dairy, sugars, and vanilla until smooth and silky. Tear up some day-old French bread into rustic chunks and spread them across the buttered pan. Gently pour the liquid mixture over the bread, letting it soak up all the delicious goodness.

• Whip Up the Crumbly Topping

Mix flour, sugars, warm spices, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Work cold butter into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until it looks like delicate, sandy crumbs that will create a heavenly crispy layer.

• Chill and Develop Flavors

Cover the pan with foil and let it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This magical waiting time allows all the flavors to dance together and the bread to become perfectly saturated.

• Bake and Crisp

Pull the dish from the fridge and sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly. Bake covered for 45 minutes, then uncover and continue baking until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown with irresistible crispy edges.

• Serve and Indulge

Let the casserole cool briefly, then dive in while it’s still warm. Drizzle with maple syrup, dust with powdered sugar, or top with fresh berries for an extra touch of deliciousness.

Creative Tips for a French Bread Casserole Twist

• Maximize Flavor Fusion: Experiment with different bread types like brioche, challah, or sourdough to add unique texture and taste dimensions to your casserole.
• Spice Up Your Crumble: Customize the topping by adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and a nutty undertone. Swap ground cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice during autumn months for a seasonal twist.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, keeping it tightly covered in the refrigerator. This technique allows flavors to deepen and makes morning preparation a breeze.
• Dietary Dance: Transform the recipe for specific dietary needs by using gluten-free bread, replacing dairy milk with almond or oat milk, and substituting butter with coconut oil for a lighter, allergen-friendly version.

Serving Suggestions for French Bread Casserole

• Drizzle Decadent Syrup: Pour warm maple syrup generously over each serving to enhance the sweet, rich flavor of the bread casserole.
• Dust with Sweet Snow: Sprinkle a light layer of powdered sugar across the top for an elegant, soft white finish that adds extra sweetness.
• Berry Burst Topping: Scatter fresh blueberries around the plate or directly on top of the casserole to introduce a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy, warm dish.
• Creamy Companion: Add a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the casserole for a luxurious, cool complement to the warm breakfast treat.

Best Ways to Store French Bread Casserole Leftovers

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, preserving its delightful texture and flavor.
• Freeze with Ease: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months, allowing quick and convenient reheating for future enjoyment.
• Reheat Like a Pro: Warm refrigerated or thawed portions in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Microwave works for quick single servings, typically 30-45 seconds.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate. Bake directly from the cold state, adding 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time for perfect results.

Hearty Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty French bread casserole blends comfort and flavor from classic French cuisine. Rich ingredients combine seamlessly, creating a delightful meal that nourishes and satisfies. You will love this simple yet elegant dish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 loaf crusty sourdough or French bread
• 8 eggs
• 2 cups (473 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsps vanilla extract
• ½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste (optional)
• ½ cup (113 g) cold butter, cut into small pieces
• Butter, for greasing the baking pan and serving
• 1 cup (150 g) fresh blueberries, for serving
• Warm syrup, for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep Foundation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish to create a non-stick surface for the casserole.
2. Custard Fusion: Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl until harmoniously blended. Tear bread into rustic chunks, arranging them across the buttered pan. Pour custard mixture over bread, ensuring complete saturation. Cover and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, allowing bread to deeply absorb the luxurious liquid.
3. Crumble Construction: In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Integrate chilled butter using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy texture. Refrigerate the crumb topping until ready to use.
4. Baking Transformation: Remove casserole from refrigerator and evenly distribute the crumb topping across the bread surface. Bake covered with foil for 45-55 minutes, creating a moist, perfectly cooked foundation.
5. Final Flourish: Uncover the casserole and continue baking for 15-20 minutes until the top achieves a golden, crisp landscape. Rest for 10 minutes before serving. Elevate the dish with a pat of softened butter, warm maple syrup drizzle, and a scatter of fresh blueberries for a decadent finish.

Notes

• Overnight Soak Secrets: Let bread absorb custard for 8-12 hours to develop deep, rich flavors and create a luxurious, custardy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Butter Coating Technique: Generously grease the pan with unsalted butter to prevent sticking and add a subtle, rich undertone to the entire dish.
• Crumb Topping Precision: Work quickly with cold butter and use a pastry cutter or fingertips to create a perfectly crumbly, sandy texture that ensures a crispy, golden-brown finish.
• Resting Rule: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking, which helps set the custard and makes serving easier, creating a more refined and cohesive dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 320 mg