Description
Imagine starting your morning with a heavenly slice of the Decadent Overnight French Toast Bake. This recipe transforms traditional French toast into an indulgent treat ideal for lazy weekends or festive brunches. Prepared the night before and baked to perfection in the morning, this dish promises a stress-free yet spectacular breakfast experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced 1-inch thick
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Preparation of the Baking Dish: Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and neatly arrange the French bread slices in a single layer.
- Creating the Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Soaking the French Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring each piece is well-soaked. Press down lightly to absorb the liquid fully.
- Refrigerating Overnight: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight allowing the bread to absorb all flavors thoroughly.
- Preparing for Baking: The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish.
- Adding Final Touches: Dot the top of the bread with small pieces of butter and a generous sprinkle of sugar for a glistening, caramelized crust.
- Baking: Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the toast has puffed up.
- Caramelizing the Top: After baking, let it cool momentarily, sprinkle additional sugar over the top, and broil briefly to achieve a crispy, caramelized exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes