Brioche French Toast Casserole

Quick Summary: This brioche French toast casserole layers buttery brioche slices in a rich custard of eggs, cream, and milk, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. It needs just 30 minutes of soaking (no overnight wait), then bakes at 355°F (180°C) for 45 minutes into a golden, custard-soft breakfast bake that serves 4.

What is brioche French toast casserole?

Brioche French toast casserole is a baked version of French toast, called casserole de pain perdu brioché in French. Slices of buttery brioche are layered in a dish, soaked in a custard of eggs, cream, and milk, then baked until golden. It is a staple of the French family breakfast and a classic way to use up bread that is going stale.

Is French toast casserole the same as bread pudding? Essentially, yes. Both feature pieces of bread soaked in an egg-and-milk mixture and baked together. The difference here is the brioche, which makes the casserole softer, richer, and less dense than one made with a plain baguette, so it is perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Unlike an overnight French toast casserole, this one needs only 30 minutes of soaking so that you can make it the same morning. You can prepare it with day-old brioche that has dried out a little, or quickly stale fresh bread in the oven.

Why you'll love this recipe

• No overnight wait. It needs only 30 minutes of soaking, so you can make it the same morning instead of prepping the night before.
• Feeds a crowd, hands-free. One casserole serves everyone at once, so you skip standing at the stove frying French toast slice by slice.
• Perfect for special mornings. This French toast bake is ideal for weekend brunch, Mother's Day, or Christmas morning.
• Simple ingredients. It uses everyday staples like brioche, eggs, cream, milk, and warm spices.
• Make-ahead friendly. You can also assemble it ahead and soak it longer, right up to overnight, when it suits your schedule.

Ingredients

For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

• Brioche loaf: The star of this French toast casserole. Ideally, buy it the day before so it dries out slightly. You can also use pandoro, panettone, French bread, challah, or sandwich bread. If using sandwich bread, soak for no more than 10 minutes. Slice the bread into 2 cm (¾-inch) slices and leave the rind on for nicely defined edges.

Pro tip: The aged bread is better at retaining its shape, but it doesn't absorb most of the liquid.

• Butter: the recipe calls for unsalted butter, softened at room temperature. When applied to each bread slice, it is a secret ingredient in this rich recipe; it adds an extra buttery flavor.

• Raisins: use any raisins available, or replace them with chopped dried apricots, pecans, etc.

• Spices: add ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon to spice up your casserole.

• Whipping heavy cream brings a creamy taste and rich texture to this breakfast dish. Feel free to replace it with milk if desired.

• Milk: Use whole milk, or replace it with low-fat milk. If desired, you can use coconut or almond milk instead of regular milk.

• Eggs: Use large eggs that work as a binder in this brioche toast casserole recipe.

• Icing (powdered) sugar sweetens the toast bake. But since the brioche is a sweetened bread, you can use less sugar than noted in the recipe. You can even skip added sugar.

• Vanilla extract brings a warm, rounded flavor to your bake.

• Flaked almonds are optional; use them for topping.

Equipment

To make this classic brioche French toast casserole, you will need:

• oven-safe ceramic or glass baking dish
• small mixing bowl
• saucepan
• hand whisk
• sandwich knife
• oven mitts

Use this simple calculator to recalculate ingredients for the baking dish you have on hand.

How to make brioche French toast casserole

Step 1. Butter a 7 x 7 inches (18 x 18 cm) baking dish. Cut brioche slices on a diagonal to make two triangles from each.

Step 2. Using the softened butter and a sandwich knife, apply a thin layer of butter on one side of the bread slices.

Step 3. Arrange the slices in the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly, buttered side up. Sprinkle raisins and ground spices.

Step 4. Repeat with the second layer, and finish with raisins and spices (photo 1).

Step 5. Heat heavy cream and milk very slowly in a saucepan; don't let them boil. Take the pan from the heat, add vanilla extract, and mix.

Step 6. In a small bowl, beat eggs with one tablespoon of icing sugar into an omelet using a fork. Then pour them into the warm milk mixture and whisk with a hand whisk.

Step 7. Pour the mixture over the bread, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it soak generously at room temperature for 30 minutes (photo 2).

Step 8. Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Sprinkle the brioche slices with the remaining icing sugar and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown.

Step 9. Remove from the oven with oven mitts and let cool for a few minutes. 

Step 10. Serve hot or reheated, with powdered sugar and toasted flaked almonds.

Expert tips

1. If the top browns too quickly, cover the top loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil when it begins to brown.
2. Drizzle the sliced bake with maple syrup if desired.
3. Make-ahead option: to serve this casserole fresh in the morning, assemble it through the soaking step the night before. Cover the dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours, then bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

Recipe variations

This casserole is easy to customize. Here are some ways to switch up the flavors and toppings:

• Spices: add a pinch of ground ginger, or swap the cinnamon and nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice, chai spice blend, or cardamom with cinnamon.
• Flavor the custard: stir in orange blossom water, dark rum, or scraped vanilla bean seeds instead of vanilla extract.
• Sweeteners: use honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, or vanilla sugar in place of icing sugar.
• Mix-ins: swap the raisins for dried cranberries, frozen red fruit, chopped dried fruit, or nuts.
• Chocolate version: add chocolate chips for a version the kids will love.
• Different breads: try cinnamon or raisin bread, sourdough, or slightly stale gingerbread for a new twist.
• Shape: cut the bread into triangles or use 1-inch (2.5 cm) brioche cubes.
• Toppings: serve your brioche French toast with salted butter caramel, Nutella, custard, crème fraîche, melted chocolate, lemon curd, or fruit coulis.
• Fresh fruit: add fresh berries or sliced bananas on top to brighten your morning.

Storing & freezing

Store baked leftovers in the baking dish, covered with foil, or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

To reheat a slice, warm it in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes. You can also use the microwave at 50% power in 1-minute increments, though it softens the texture. If you do, use a microwave-safe glass or ceramic container. To reheat a large amount, cover the dish with foil and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 20 to 30 minutes, until warmed through.

You can freeze it without berries. Cover the dish with a double layer of plastic wrap and foil and store it in the freezer for one to two months. For easy single servings, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze them separately.

You can also freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole for up to two months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed. Reheat baked portions straight from frozen in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

FAQ

Can brioche be used in French toast casserole?
Yes, buttery brioche is one of the best breads for French toast casserole. It absorbs the custard while keeping its shape, so the outside browns well while the inside stays soft. You can also use another white bread, sweetened or unsweetened.

What bread is used for French toast casserole?
You can use fluffy brioche, challah, pandoro, panettone, French bread, Texas toast, or cinnamon swirl bread.

Can you make brioche French toast casserole overnight?
Yes. While this recipe needs only 30 minutes of soaking, you can assemble it the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before baking as directed.

How stale should the bread be for French toast?
Slightly stale bread, about one day old, works best. To stale bread, unwrap it and let it dry for around 24 hours, or dry the slices in a preheated 390°F (200°C) oven for 45 to 60 minutes.

Do you have to soak French toast casserole overnight?
No. Some recipes soak the bread in custard for up to 24 hours, but this one needs only 30 minutes. Depending on the recipe, soaking time can range from 30 minutes to 12 hours.

What do you serve with French toast casserole?
Serve it with fresh fruit, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. For a bigger brunch, add bacon, eggs, chorizo, or a green salad.

Love breakfast recipes? Try these next!

• Authentic French Crepes Recipe
• Vanilla Dutch Baby (Puffed Pancake)
• French Chocolate Crepes Recipe
• Beggar's Purses (Apple Cinnamon Crepes)

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The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.