Baked Challah French Toast: The Ultimate Brunch Delight

French toast is a classic breakfast and brunch staple, beloved for its comforting sweetness and satisfying texture. While pan-fried French toast is undoubtedly delicious, baking it takes the dish to a whole new level. And when you use challah bread as your base? Pure culinary magic. This recipe for Baked Challah French Toast is a game-changer, perfect for weekend brunches, special occasions, or any time you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something truly extraordinary.

## Why Challah? Why Baked?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why challah bread and the baking method are so crucial to the success of this dish.

**Challah: The Perfect Bread for French Toast**

Challah is a braided bread of Jewish origin, traditionally enriched with eggs and often a touch of honey or sugar. Its slightly sweet, eggy flavor and soft, airy texture make it the ideal candidate for soaking up a custard-like mixture. Here’s why challah excels where other breads might fall short:

* **Absorbent Structure:** Challah’s open crumb structure allows it to soak up the custard mixture without becoming soggy. The bread retains its shape and integrity, resulting in a delightful balance of creamy interior and slightly crisp exterior.
* **Rich Flavor:** The inherent sweetness and richness of challah complements the custard perfectly. It adds a depth of flavor that elevates the French toast beyond the ordinary.
* **Beautiful Presentation:** The braided shape of challah makes for a stunning presentation, especially when baked in a casserole dish. It’s a visually appealing dish that’s sure to impress your guests.

**Baking: The Secret to Effortless Brunching**

While pan-frying French toast requires constant attention and can be time-consuming, baking it offers several advantages:

* **Hands-Off Cooking:** Once the French toast is assembled, you simply pop it in the oven and let it bake. This frees you up to prepare other dishes, mingle with guests, or simply relax and enjoy your morning.
* **Even Cooking:** Baking ensures that the French toast cooks evenly on all sides, resulting in a consistent texture throughout. No more worrying about burnt spots or undercooked centers.
* **Ideal for Crowds:** Baked French toast is perfect for feeding a crowd. You can easily scale the recipe up or down to accommodate any number of guests. It’s also a great make-ahead option, allowing you to prepare the dish the night before and bake it in the morning.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this delectable Baked Challah French Toast:

* **1 large loaf of challah bread (about 1 pound),** preferably day-old (slightly stale bread soaks up the custard better. Fresh challah will work but allow it to dry out a bit by slicing and leaving it out for an hour or two)
* **8 large eggs**
* **2 cups milk** (whole milk or 2% milk works best for richness)
* **1 cup heavy cream** (for extra decadence)
* **1/2 cup granulated sugar** (adjust to your desired sweetness)
* **2 tablespoons vanilla extract** (adds a warm, aromatic flavor)
* **1 teaspoon ground cinnamon** (enhances the sweetness and adds a touch of spice)
* **1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg** (optional, but adds a lovely warmth)
* **Pinch of salt** (balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors)
* **4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted** (for greasing the baking dish and drizzling over the top)

**Optional Toppings:**

* Maple syrup
* Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
* Powdered sugar
* Whipped cream
* Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
* Chocolate shavings

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients, let’s get started! Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Baked Challah French Toast:

**Step 1: Prepare the Challah**

1. **Slice the challah:** Using a serrated bread knife, slice the challah into 1-inch thick slices. You should have about 10-12 slices.
2. **Arrange in a baking dish:** Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter. Arrange the challah slices in the dish, overlapping them slightly. If the bread is very fresh, you may need to tear some of the slices to fit them snugly in the dish.

**Step 2: Make the Custard**

1. **Whisk the eggs:** In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt until well combined.
2. **Pour over the challah:** Gently pour the custard mixture evenly over the challah slices, making sure to saturate all the bread. Use a spatula or spoon to press down on the bread slices to help them absorb the custard.

**Step 3: Refrigerate (Optional but Recommended)**

1. **Cover and refrigerate:** Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight. This allows the challah to fully absorb the custard, resulting in a richer and more flavorful French toast. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but the longer it sits, the better the results.

**Step 4: Bake the French Toast**

1. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Drizzle with butter:** Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and drizzle the remaining melted butter evenly over the top of the challah slices.
3. **Bake:** Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the French toast is golden brown and puffed up. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent it with foil.

**Step 5: Let it Rest**

1. **Cool slightly:** Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the French toast cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the custard to set slightly.

**Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!**

1. **Slice and serve:** Cut the baked challah French toast into squares or rectangles and serve warm.
2. **Add your favorite toppings:** Drizzle with maple syrup, sprinkle with powdered sugar, top with fresh berries, whipped cream, chopped nuts, or chocolate shavings – the possibilities are endless!

## Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to customize your Baked Challah French Toast:

* **Use different types of bread:** While challah is the star of the show, you can also use other types of bread, such as brioche, croissants, or even regular white bread. Just keep in mind that the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
* **Add fruit to the custard:** For a fruity twist, add chopped fruit to the custard mixture. Berries, bananas, peaches, or apples would all be delicious additions.
* **Spice it up:** Experiment with different spices, such as cardamom, ginger, or allspice.
* **Add chocolate chips:** For a chocolatey treat, sprinkle chocolate chips over the challah slices before pouring the custard over them.
* **Make it savory:** For a savory version, omit the sugar and vanilla extract from the custard. Add herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or sage, and top with grated cheese before baking.
* **Overnight Delight:** Preparing the French toast the night before is highly recommended. This allows the challah bread to thoroughly soak up the custard, resulting in a richer, more flavorful dish. The longer it soaks, the better it will be.
* **Nutty Goodness:** Sprinkle chopped nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds, over the top of the French toast before baking for added crunch and flavor.
* **Caramel Drizzle:** For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle caramel sauce over the baked French toast before serving.
* **Lemon Zest:** Add lemon zest to the custard for a bright, citrusy flavor.
* **Coconut Flakes:** Sprinkle shredded coconut over the French toast before baking for a tropical twist.

## Serving Suggestions

Baked Challah French Toast is a versatile dish that can be served for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. Here are some serving suggestions:

* **Classic Brunch:** Serve with maple syrup, fresh berries, and whipped cream for a classic brunch experience.
* **Sweet Treat:** Drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
* **Savory Side:** Serve with a side of bacon, sausage, or ham for a balanced and satisfying meal.
* **Holiday Feast:** Add this to your holiday breakfast or brunch spread for a special treat.
* **Potluck Favorite:** Bring this dish to your next potluck or gathering – it’s sure to be a hit!

## Make-Ahead Instructions

Baked Challah French Toast is a great make-ahead dish. You can assemble the French toast the night before and bake it in the morning. Here’s how:

1. **Assemble the French toast:** Follow the instructions above to prepare the French toast up to the point of baking.
2. **Cover and refrigerate:** Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight.
3. **Bake:** In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the French toast as directed.

## Storage Instructions

Leftover Baked Challah French Toast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

*Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.*

* Calories: 400-500 per serving
* Fat: 20-30g
* Saturated Fat: 10-15g
* Cholesterol: 200-250mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g
* Sugar: 20-30g
* Protein: 10-15g

## Conclusion

Baked Challah French Toast is a truly special dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of the rich, eggy challah bread and the creamy, flavorful custard is simply irresistible. And the fact that it’s baked makes it incredibly easy to prepare, especially for a crowd. So, the next time you’re looking for a show-stopping breakfast or brunch recipe, look no further than this Baked Challah French Toast. It’s guaranteed to impress your family and friends and become a new favorite in your repertoire.

Enjoy!