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Easy Overnight French Toast Bake Recipe for Perfect Cozy Easter Brunch

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A simple and cozy overnight French toast bake that is perfect for Easter brunch or any special morning. It features thick bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, baked to a golden, custardy perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups thick-cut bread cubes (brioche, challah, or day-old French bread)
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% or dairy-free milk like almond milk)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (optional but recommended)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (can substitute with maple syrup or coconut sugar)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing and topping)
  • Optional toppings: fresh berries, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), powdered sugar, maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Cut about 8 cups of thick bread slices into roughly 1-inch cubes. If bread isn’t stale, toast cubes lightly in oven at 300°F for 10 minutes, then cool.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until combined and slightly frothy (2-3 minutes).
  3. Place bread cubes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour custard evenly over bread, pressing gently to soak all pieces. Let sit 5 minutes, then cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  4. Refrigerate the baking dish for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow custard to soak fully.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap, dot top with melted butter, and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and a knife inserted comes out clean but moist.
  6. Let bake cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use slightly stale bread for best texture. Room temperature eggs and dairy help custard blend smoothly. If top browns too fast, tent with foil. Toast nuts before adding for extra flavor. Can prepare up to 24 hours ahead but best soaked overnight. Reheat in oven to maintain texture; avoid microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight French toast bake, Easter brunch, easy breakfast casserole, cinnamon vanilla custard, cozy brunch recipe

Find it online: https://grubella.com/easy-overnight-french-toast-bake-recipe-for-perfect-cozy-easter-brunch/