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    Home » Baking

    Brioche French Toast Casserole

    Published: Jan 24, 2023 by Diana Reis · This post may contain affiliate links

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    This amazing French Toast Casserole is made with a rich custard soaked into buttery brioche bread. The cream cheese filling and bacon, pecan streusel topping make this dish extra delicious and perfect for special occasions.

    piece of casserole on white plate with baking dish in background

    This is the perfect recipe for hosting and is great for a holiday morning like Christmas or Mother's Day. The cream cheese filling and streusel topping turn this simple casserole into an extra special treat that covers the breakfast basics of sweet, savory, smooth, and crunchy. 

    This baked French toast casserole can be put together first thing in the morning or the night before. 

    Classic French toast typically uses day old or slightly stale bread to help it hold up to the cream and egg mixture. In this recipe you can use fresh bread because once the bread cubes are in the baking dish they won’t be handled again.

    Using fresh bread makes it easier to put this recipe together quickly as well because fresh bread will soak up the custard much more quickly.

    Contents hide
    Ingredients
    How to Make it
    FAQ
    Diana’s Tips for Success
    Related Recipes
    📖 Recipe
    Easy French Toast Bake with Brioche
    Cream Cheese Filling
    Bacon Pecan Streusel Topping

    Ingredients

    Brioche French toast casserole ingredients

    Brioche Style Bread- This type of bread has a soft texture and flavor enriched with butter and eggs. If you can’t find brioche, then challah bread, or even a Portuguese sweet bread will be delicious in this French toast bake.

    Steusel topping ingredients

    How to Make it

    Step 1

    • Make the cream cheese filling by placing softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla extract into a medium bowl and mix until smooth and well combined.
    cream cheese filling in medium mixing bowl

    Step 2

    • Cut brioche bread into 1 inch cubes.
    • Place some of your bread cubes into a prepared baking dish in a single layer.
    • Add several spoonsful of cream cheese filling to the first layer.
    • Then add more brioche cubes and more cream cheese filling. Do this until you fill your baking dish.
    layers of brioche and filling in casserole dish

    Step 3

    • Make the French toast custard by whisking together heavy cream, milk, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
    cream and egg mixture in large mixing bowl

    Step 4

    • Pour the cream mixture over the brioche.
    • Next, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap.
    • Use your hands on top of the plastic wrap to press the bread cubes down into the custard mixture. 
    • Let the casserole sit, covered, for at least 1 hour before baking. You can leave it overnight in the refrigerator and bake the next morning. 
    soaked brioche bread cubes in a baking sheet with plastic wrap

    Step 5

    • Make the streusel topping by cutting chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, and butter.
    streusel topping

    Step 6

    • Preheat your oven to 350°. 
    • Remove the plastic wrap from your casserole. Sprinkle streusel filling crisp cooked bacon pieces over the top of the casserole evenly.
    • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
    • After 35 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the crumb topping is golden brown. Use a toothpick or knife to check the center of the casserole for doneness. When the French toast bake is fully cooked, the custard in the bread cubes should be firm and hot.
    • Serve with warm maple syrup and a side of fresh fruit.
    brioche french toast casserole with streusel topping

    FAQ

    Why is my French Toast casserole soggy?

    There are two reasons why your casserole might be soggy. 

    1. Too much custard. You don’t want your cubed bread to be swimming. Ideally you should have just enough custard to come up about an inch from the top of your baking dish. The bread should soak up all of the liquid and still be firm.Under baking. You want to make sure you check the center of the casserole and that the custard filled bread has firmed up. The custard won’t set until it gets cooked and the soaked bread will be soggy.
    Why is my Brioche French Toast Casserole Dry?

    There are two main reasons why your casserole is too dry.
    1. Too little liquid. If there isn’t enough liquid for every piece of bread to soak up you will end up with dry pieces of bread throughout.
    2.Overbaking. Cooking this dish too long will allow moisture to escape and dry out the bread.

    Diana’s Tips for Success

    When you start to preheat your oven, take your casserole out of the refrigerator so that it will be closer to room temperature. This will help it cook more evenly.

    Storage and Reheating 

    Store leftovers in the baking dish or in an airtight container.

    Reheating this is very easy. Place individual servings in a microwave safe dish. Cover with a piece of damp paper towel and heat in 30 second intervals until it is warm throughout.

    cooked brioche french toast casserole

    Related Recipes

    • Banana Bread Almonds and Chocolate Chips
    • Easy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
    • Simple Cinnamon Baked Pears
    • Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

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    📖 Recipe

    close up Brioche French Toast Casserole

    Easy French Toast Bake with Brioche

    This is the perfect French toast recipe for weekend mornings. Custard soaked brioche bread bakes up into a savory, sweet casserole that makes a delicious and hearty breakfast.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American, American Classic
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Soaking Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 Servings
    Calories: 537kcal
    Author: Diana Reis

    Equipment

    • 1 13"x9" Baking Dish Casserole Dish

    Ingredients

    • Loaf Brioche thick sliced bread
    • 2 Cups Heavy Cream
    • ½ Whole Milk
    • 6 Eggs
    • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

    Cream Cheese Filling

    • 8 Ounces Cream Cheese
    • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
    • 2 Tablespoon Cream or Milk

    Bacon Pecan Streusel Topping

    • ½ Cup Bacon fried diced
    • ½ Cup Pecans chopped
    • 3 Tablespoons Flour
    • ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar
    • ¼ Cup Butter cold

    Instructions

    • Make the cream cheese filling by placing softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla extract into a bowl and mix until smooth and well combined.
    • Cut brioche bread into 1 inch cubes.
    • Place some of your bread cubes into a greased baking dish in a single layer.
    • Add several spoonsful of cream cheese filling to the first layer.
    • Then add more brioche cubes and more cream cheese filling. Do this until you fill your baking dish.
    • Make the French toast custard by whisking together heavy cream, milk, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon.
    • Pour the cream mixture over the brioche.
    • Next, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap.
    • Use your hands on top of the plastic wrap to press the bread cubes down into the custard.
    • Let the casserole sit, covered, for at least 1 hour before baking. You can leave it overnight in the refrigerator and bake the next morning.
    • Make the streusel topping by cutting chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, and butter.
    • Preheat your oven to 350°.
    • Remove the plastic wrap from your casserole. Sprinkle streusel filling crisp cooked bacon pieces over the top evenly.
    • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
    • After 35 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Use a toothpick or knife to check the center of the casserole for doneness. When the French toast bake is fully cooked, the custard in the bread cubes should be firm and hot.
    • Serve with maple syrup and a side of fresh cut fruit.

    Notes

    FAQs
    Why is my French Toast casserole soggy?
    There are two reasons why your casserole might be soggy.
    1.Too much custard. You don’t want your cubed bread to be swimming. Ideally you should have just enough custard to come up about an inch from the top of your baking dish. The bread should soak up all of the liquid and still be firm.
    2.Under baking. You want to make sure you check the center of the casserole and that the custard filled bread has firmed up. The custard won’t set until it gets cooked and the soaked bread will be soggy.
    Why is my French Toast Dry?
    1.Too little liquid. If there isn’t enough liquid for every piece of bread to soak up you will end up with dry pieces of bread throughout.
    2.Over baking. Cooking this dish too long will allow moisture to escape and dry out the bread.
    Diana’s Tips for Success
    When you start to preheat your oven, take your casserole out of the refrigerator so that it will be closer to room temperature. This will help it cook more evenly.
    Storage and Reheating
    Store the leftovers in the baking dish or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    Reheating this is very easy. Place an individual portion in a microwave safe dish. Cover with a piece of damp paper towel and heat in 30 second intervals until it is warm throughout.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 230mg | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 1496IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @DianDeliciousB or tag #DeliciousByDesign!

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    Comments

      5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Eileen Kelly says

      January 26, 2023 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      Nothing beats an easy french toast casserole. This breakfast casserole was super easy to prepare and the family enjoyed it. I will keep this in my recipe rotation.

      Reply
    2. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      January 26, 2023 at 9:58 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!

      Reply
    3. Cara says

      January 26, 2023 at 11:37 pm

      5 stars
      All I can say to this recipe is HECK YES. It's rich, delicious, and perfectly creamy. Loved the texture of the topping as well!

      Reply
    4. Jacqueline says

      January 27, 2023 at 12:10 am

      5 stars
      Mmmmmm! Pass me a spoon and some custard!

      Reply
    5. Anjali says

      January 27, 2023 at 12:44 am

      5 stars
      Omg this was such a decadent and delicious brunch recipe for my family!! We had some relatives visiting this past weekend and served this to everyone, and it was gone in minutes!

      Reply
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    I’m passionate about the family dinner table. Connecting with each other at the end of the day over a good meal creates strong family bonds and healthy long-lasting relationships. I want to help families and friends build those relationships.

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