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Cozy Overnight French Toast Bake Recipe with Easy Caramelized Crust

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A simple and comforting overnight French toast bake featuring day-old bread soaked in a custard and topped with a buttery, caramelized brown sugar crust. Perfect for cozy weekends and easy to prepare ahead.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups cubed day-old bread (preferably challah, brioche, or French bread)
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk (600 ml)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Maple syrup (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cube about 8 cups (roughly 450 grams) of day-old bread into 1-inch pieces.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 ½ cups whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until fully combined.
  3. Add the cubed bread to the custard mixture and gently fold to coat all pieces evenly. Let sit for about 10 minutes to soak.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup packed brown sugar with 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter until it resembles wet sand.
  5. Pour the soaked bread evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar and butter mixture evenly over the top.
  6. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover and bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the bake cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
  9. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

If the crust browns too fast, tent the dish with foil halfway through baking. Use day-old bread for best texture. Let the bake rest 10 minutes before serving to allow custard to set. For dairy-free or gluten-free versions, substitute ingredients accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight French toast bake, caramelized crust, easy breakfast, brunch recipe, custard soaked bread, brown sugar crust, cozy breakfast

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