Brunch Baked French Toast Recipe

French bread: This is the base of the dish, providing a sturdy texture that soaks up the egg mixture beautifully.

Eggs: These bind the ingredients together and add richness.

Milk: Adds moisture and helps to create a custard-like consistency.

Heavy cream: Adds extra richness and a creamy texture.

Sugar: Sweetens the dish and helps to create a golden brown top.

Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy note that enhances the overall flavor.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.

To ensure your French bread absorbs the egg mixture thoroughly, let the bread cubes sit in the baking dish for about 10-15 minutes before placing it in the oven. This resting time 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, providing a similar texture and flavor profile to french bread.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and soft, making it a great alternative for a rich and tender french toast.

• eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water per 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.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk is creamy and works well as a non-dairy substitute in baked goods.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream is thick and rich, making it a good non-dairy alternative to heavy cream.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of flavor that complements the dish.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and can add a slight floral note to the french toast.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a different but complementary flavor that can enhance the overall taste.

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

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a slightly different mineral flavor but works just as well in balancing the sweetness.

• Allow the Brunch Baked French Toast to cool completely after baking. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cooled French toast to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. This will keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to enjoy the French toast within 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
• To freeze, wrap individual portions of the French toast in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This makes it easy to reheat just the amount you need.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of how long it has been stored. French toast can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the French toast in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and helps maintain the texture.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, but be aware that this may result in a slightly different texture.
• For an extra crispy top, consider reheating under the broiler for a minute or two. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
• Serve with your favorite toppings like fresh berries, maple syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy the delightful flavors of your Brunch Baked French Toast just as if it were freshly baked!

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover brunch 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. 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 it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the french toast slices in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and slightly crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the french toast slices 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 to a golden brown and set the center.

• Baking dish: Holds the bread cubes and egg mixture while baking.

• Mixing bowl: Used to whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.

• Whisk: Essential for blending the egg mixture smoothly.

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

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt precisely.

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

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to safely cut the bread.

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

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

Prepare ingredients ahead: Cut the french bread into cubes and measure out the milk, heavy cream, and sugar the night before.

Use a large mixing bowl: This allows you to whisk the eggs, milk, and other ingredients quickly without spilling.

Soak overnight: Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and let it soak in the baking dish overnight in the fridge.

Preheat oven early: Turn on the oven while you assemble the dish to save time.

Use parchment paper: Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.