Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole: A Delicious Brunch Delight

French toast casserole is the ultimate make-ahead brunch dish. It’s comforting, customizable, and incredibly easy to prepare. This Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole takes the classic to a whole new level with the addition of sweet, juicy pears and crunchy, toasted almonds. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible, making it the perfect dish for weekend brunches, holiday gatherings, or even a special weekday treat. This recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring a foolproof and delicious result every time.

Why You’ll Love This Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole

* **Make-Ahead Convenience:** Prepare it the night before and simply bake it in the morning. This makes it ideal for busy mornings or entertaining guests.
* **Delicious Flavor Combination:** The sweet pears and nutty almonds complement the rich and creamy French toast perfectly.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences by using different types of bread, adding other fruits, or adjusting the spices.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** A guaranteed hit with family and friends of all ages.
* **Easy to Make:** Simple ingredients and straightforward instructions make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:

* **Bread:** 1 loaf of challah, brioche, or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes. Stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard better without becoming soggy. Approximately 12-14 ounces of bread.
* **Pears:** 2-3 medium pears, such as Bosc or Anjou, peeled, cored, and diced. Choose pears that are firm but ripe for the best flavor and texture.
* **Almonds:** 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted. Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor and adds a satisfying crunch.
* **Eggs:** 6 large eggs. These form the base of the custard and provide richness and structure.
* **Milk:** 2 cups whole milk. Whole milk creates a creamier custard, but you can substitute with 2% milk if desired.
* **Heavy Cream:** 1/2 cup heavy cream. Adds richness and helps to create a luxurious texture.
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar. Provides sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor. You can also use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
* **Vanilla Extract:** 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Enhances the overall flavor and adds a touch of warmth.
* **Cinnamon:** 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Adds a classic warm spice flavor that complements the pears and almonds.
* **Nutmeg:** 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. A subtle spice that adds depth and complexity.
* **Salt:** 1/4 teaspoon salt. Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for greasing the baking dish.
* **Powdered Sugar:** For dusting (optional).
* **Maple Syrup:** For serving (optional).

Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Large mixing bowl
* Whisk
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Cutting board
* Knife
* Skillet (for toasting almonds)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole:

Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Pears

1. **Cut the bread:** Using a serrated knife, cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes in a large bowl.
2. **Prepare the pears:** Peel, core, and dice the pears into small, even pieces. Add the diced pears to the bowl with the bread cubes.

Step 2: Toast the Almonds

1. **Toast the almonds:** Place the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the almonds are lightly golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
2. **Cool the almonds:** Remove the toasted almonds from the skillet and let them cool slightly. Add them to the bowl with the bread and pears.

Step 3: Make the Custard

1. **Whisk the eggs:** In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. **Grease the baking dish:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with the melted butter. Make sure the entire surface is coated to prevent sticking.
2. **Combine the ingredients:** Pour the custard mixture over the bread, pears, and almonds in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together until the bread is evenly coated with the custard. Make sure all the bread cubes are submerged to ensure they soak up the custard properly.
3. **Transfer to the baking dish:** Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Gently press down on the bread cubes to ensure they are submerged in the custard.

Step 5: Bake the Casserole

1. **Bake the casserole:** Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. This will help the casserole cook evenly and prevent the top from burning.
2. **Remove the foil:** After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
3. **Cool slightly:** Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the custard to set further and prevent it from being too runny.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

1. **Serve warm:** Serve the Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole warm. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup, if desired.

Tips and Variations

* **Use stale bread:** As mentioned earlier, stale bread works best for this recipe. If your bread is fresh, you can dry it out by leaving it out overnight or toasting it lightly in the oven.
* **Adjust the sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet casserole, reduce the amount of brown sugar. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
* **Add other fruits:** Feel free to add other fruits to the casserole, such as apples, blueberries, or cranberries. Just make sure to adjust the amount of fruit accordingly.
* **Use different nuts:** If you’re not a fan of almonds, you can substitute them with other nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts. Make sure to toast them before adding them to the casserole.
* **Add a streusel topping:** For an extra touch of sweetness and crunch, you can add a streusel topping to the casserole before baking. Combine flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a bowl and crumble it over the top of the casserole.
* **Make it dairy-free:** To make this casserole dairy-free, use almond milk or soy milk instead of milk and heavy cream. You can also use a dairy-free butter substitute for greasing the baking dish.
* **Add a liquor:** Enhance the flavor profile by adding a tablespoon or two of amaretto, bourbon, or rum to the custard mixture.
* **Overnight Soak:** For an even richer and more flavorful casserole, assemble it the night before and let it soak in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard.
* **Spice it up:** A pinch of cardamom or ginger can add a delightful warmth to the casserole.

Serving Suggestions

* **Brunch:** This Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole is the perfect centerpiece for a weekend brunch. Serve it with a side of bacon, sausage, or fresh fruit.
* **Holiday gathering:** This casserole is also a great option for holiday gatherings. It’s easy to make ahead of time and can feed a crowd.
* **Special occasion:** Treat yourself and your loved ones to this delicious casserole on a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary.
* **Weeknight dinner:** While it’s often served for brunch, this casserole can also be a satisfying and comforting weeknight dinner. Serve it with a side salad or roasted vegetables.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole is perfect for making ahead of time. Here’s how:

1. **Assemble the casserole:** Follow the recipe instructions up to the point of baking. Instead of baking, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight.
2. **Bake the casserole:** The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish and bake the casserole according to the recipe instructions, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if necessary, since it will be starting from cold.

Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole Recipe

This recipe provides a delicious, easy to follow guide to creating a stunning brunch dish.

**Yields:** 8-10 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 50-55 minutes

Ingredients

* 1 loaf (12-14 ounces) challah, brioche, or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
* 2-3 medium pears, such as Bosc or Anjou, peeled, cored, and diced
* 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
* 6 large eggs
* 2 cups whole milk
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for greasing
* Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
* Maple syrup, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. **Prepare the Bread and Pears:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Peel, core, and dice the pears, adding them to the bowl with the bread.
2. **Toast the Almonds:** Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly and add to the bowl with the bread and pears.
3. **Make the Custard:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
4. **Assemble the Casserole:** Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter. Pour the custard mixture over the bread, pears, and almonds. Gently toss to coat evenly, ensuring all bread cubes are submerged. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
5. **Bake the Casserole:** Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
6. **Cool and Serve:** Let the casserole cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup, if desired. Serve warm.

Enjoy!

This Pear and Almond French Toast Casserole is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, celebrating a holiday, or simply looking for a comforting meal, this recipe is sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the delicious flavors of this classic casserole with a twist! Bon appétit!