Easy Baked French Toast
- PREP 30min
- COOK 40min
- TOTAL 1hrs 10min
I love this baked French toast recipe with its lightly spiced, slightly sweet custard. It bakes to be perfectly soft in the middle with a buttery cinnamon sugar top.
You Will Need
1 large day old bread loaf like brioche, challah, crusty sourdough or French bread
6 whole eggs
1 cup (236ml) whole milk
1/2 cup (118ml) heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons real maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 tablespoons butter plus more for greasing dish
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Prepare French Toast
Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with butter and set aside.
Slice the bread into thick slices (1/2-inch to 1-inch thick). Cut each slice in half, making two triangles. If your bread is fresh, dry it out in the oven (a tip for how to do this is below).
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt until combined.
Quickly dip each slice of bread into the custard and place it in the baking dish, arranging each slice so that it is angled and overlaps slightly (like roof shingles).
When all the bread slices are arranged in the baking dish, pour the remaining custard over the top of the bread.
Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
Bake French Toast
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the French toast, still covered, for 30 minutes.
While it bakes, make the cinnamon sugar topping by stirring 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon together.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, uncover the French toast, and slowly pour the melted butter over the top, trying to cover most of the bread slices.
Scatter the cinnamon sugar over the bread, and then bake, uncovered, until the tips are golden brown and the bread looks puffed, about 10 minutes.
Cool for 5 minutes, cut into 8 squares, and serve with your favorite toppings.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Fresh bread: Day old or dried out bread is best for this. If your bread still seems fresh, slice it and place it in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes to dry it. You do not want to brown the bread; you want to dry it out.
- Storing: Baked French toast lasts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or a 350°F oven.
- Overnight French toast: Assemble, tightly cover, and refrigerate overnight. Take out 20 minutes or so before baking in the morning to give it a chance to come closer to room temperature before baking.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.