Brunch Baked French Toast Recipe

French bread: A loaf of French bread, cut into cubes, provides the base for the dish, soaking up the custard mixture.

Eggs: These bind the ingredients together and create a rich, custardy texture.

Milk: Adds moisture and helps create the custard mixture.

Heavy cream: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the dish.

Sugar: Sweetens the custard mixture.

Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, inviting flavor.

Ground cinnamon: Provides a warm, spicy note.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

To ensure your French bread absorbs the egg mixture evenly, let the bread cubes sit in the mixture for about 10-15 minutes before baking. This allows the bread to soak up all the flavors and results in a more custard-like texture.

• french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, making it an excellent alternative for a more decadent french toast.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and has a soft texture, which works well for soaking up the custard mixture.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. This is a good vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that provides a similar consistency and mild flavor.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream adds a rich, creamy texture and a subtle coconut flavor, making it a good dairy-free substitute.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a unique flavor that complements the other ingredients.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but pleasant flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices like nutmeg and cloves, adding a more complex flavor profile.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a slightly different mineral composition, which can add a subtle depth of flavor.

• Allow the Brunch Baked French Toast to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
• Transfer the cooled French toast to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
• For freezing, cut the French toast into individual portions. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
• Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes.
• For a quicker option, reheat directly from frozen. Place the French toast in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
• To maintain the crispiness of the top layer, avoid microwaving. The oven method ensures the French toast retains its delightful texture.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover baked French toast in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the French toast on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not heated through, continue in 30-second increments until warm.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the French toast slices in the skillet.
  4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until heated through and slightly crispy.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the French toast on the toaster oven tray.
  3. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through and the top is crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the French toast in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Oven: Used to bake the French toast at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for whisking together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Whisk: Helps to thoroughly mix the egg mixture, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

• Baking dish: Holds the cubed French bread and the egg mixture, and goes into the oven for baking.

• Knife: Used to cut the French bread into cubes.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the French bread.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the milk, heavy cream, and sugar accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Ensures precise measurement of the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Cooking spray: Used to grease the baking dish to prevent the French toast from sticking.

• Spatula: Helps to spread the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes.

• Cooling rack: Allows the baked French toast to cool slightly before serving.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Cut the french bread into cubes the night before and store in an airtight container.

Use a large mixing bowl: Whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt together in one go to save time.

Grease the baking dish: Prepare the baking dish while the oven preheats to streamline the process.

Soak the bread thoroughly: Ensure all pieces of bread are soaked in the egg mixture to avoid uneven baking.

Preheat the oven: Start preheating the oven as soon as you begin prepping to save waiting time later.