Description
Joanna Gaines’ french toast casserole combines rich bread cubes with creamy custard for a delightful breakfast experience. Warm maple syrup and crisp edges make this dish perfect for weekend family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 mL) milk
- 1 (8 oz / 227 g) loaf crusty French bread, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (240 mL) brown sugar
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, or to taste
- 1 tbsp (15 g) brown sugar, or to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a non-stick surface for the casserole.
- Caramel Creation: Melt brown sugar and unsalted butter in a saucepan, stirring until a glossy, smooth caramel forms. Spread evenly across the baking dish bottom.
- Bread Layering: Arrange bread pieces in a uniform layer atop the caramel base, ensuring complete coverage.
- Custard Blending: Whisk whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and slightly frothy.
- Saturation: Pour custard over bread pieces, gently pressing to ensure complete absorption. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Pre-Baking Ritual: Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 230 degrees Celsius.
- Finishing Touch: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, sprinkling the mixture across the soaked bread pudding.
- Baking Process: Bake for 30 minutes, monitoring color and bubbling edges. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
- Serving Presentation: Cool for 5-10 minutes, then invert onto serving plates to showcase the caramelized bottom. Serve warm for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Maximize Bread Absorption: Let the casserole rest overnight in the refrigerator to ensure bread fully soaks up the custard mixture, creating a rich, creamy texture.
- Control Caramelization: Watch the top closely while baking to prevent burning; use aluminum foil if it browns too quickly for even, golden-brown perfection.
- Select Bread Wisely: Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption and a more structured texture in the final dish.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the casserole warm to experience the most decadent caramel flavor and optimal pudding-like consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg