Ultimate Guide to Delicious Brunch: Baked French Toast Recipes
Brunch, the delightful meal that bridges breakfast and lunch, is the perfect occasion to indulge in something special. And what could be more special than baked French toast? This make-ahead marvel is ideal for lazy weekend mornings, holiday gatherings, or any time you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to a truly unforgettable dish. Forget standing over a hot stove flipping individual slices – baked French toast is easy to prepare, customizable to your liking, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
This ultimate guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating the perfect baked French toast, from the basic recipe to variations, tips, and tricks for achieving optimal results. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to elevate your brunch game!
## Why Baked French Toast?
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk about why baked French toast is superior to the traditional pan-fried version:
* **Convenience:** The biggest advantage is hands-off cooking. You assemble the French toast, let it soak, and then bake it in the oven. This frees you up to prepare other brunch dishes, mingle with guests, or simply relax.
* **Even Cooking:** Baking ensures that the French toast is cooked evenly throughout, without the risk of burning the outside while the inside remains soggy.
* **Perfect for Crowds:** Baked French toast is easily scaled to feed a large group. Simply adjust the recipe and use a larger baking dish.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can assemble the French toast the night before and bake it in the morning. This makes it a lifesaver for busy mornings.
* **Customizable:** The basic recipe is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. Add different fruits, nuts, spices, or even savory elements to create your own signature baked French toast.
## The Basic Baked French Toast Recipe
This recipe forms the foundation for all the variations that follow. It’s simple, delicious, and endlessly adaptable.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 loaf (1 pound) of bread, such as challah, brioche, French bread, or Texas toast, cut into 1-inch thick slices
* 6 large eggs
* 2 cups milk (whole milk or a non-dairy alternative)
* 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed (optional, for added sweetness and caramelization)
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Pinch of salt
* 4 tablespoons butter, melted
* Optional toppings: maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate chips
**Equipment:**
* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Large bowl
* Whisk
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Serrated knife
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Bread:** Cut the bread into 1-inch thick slices. Slightly stale bread works best, as it will absorb the custard better without becoming soggy. If your bread is fresh, you can dry it out slightly by leaving the slices out on a baking sheet for an hour or two, or by toasting them lightly in the oven.
2. **Make the Custard:** In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream (if using), granulated sugar, brown sugar (if using), vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. **Arrange the Bread:** Grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Arrange the bread slices in the dish in a single layer, overlapping slightly if necessary. You want the dish to be packed, but not overly crowded.
4. **Pour the Custard:** Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, making sure to saturate all the pieces. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to help it absorb the custard.
5. **Soak the Bread:** Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. The longer the bread soaks, the more flavorful and custardy the French toast will be. If you are soaking overnight, reduce the milk by 1/4 cup to prevent excessive sogginess.
6. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. **Drizzle with Butter:** Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the bread.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the French toast is golden brown and puffed up, and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
9. **Let Cool Slightly:** Let the baked French toast cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
10. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve warm with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, whipped cream, nuts, or chocolate chips.
## Tips for Perfect Baked French Toast
* **Use the Right Bread:** The type of bread you use can significantly impact the texture and flavor of your baked French toast. Challah, brioche, and French bread are all excellent choices because they are sturdy enough to hold up to the custard without becoming mushy. Texas toast also works well, especially for a heartier French toast.
* **Stale Bread is Your Friend:** Slightly stale bread is ideal for making baked French toast because it absorbs the custard better. If your bread is fresh, you can dry it out by leaving it out on the counter for a few hours or toasting it lightly in the oven.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Dish:** Make sure to arrange the bread slices in a single layer in the baking dish. Overcrowding the dish will prevent the French toast from cooking evenly.
* **Soak it Well:** Soaking the bread in the custard is crucial for achieving that custardy texture. Aim for at least 30 minutes of soaking time, but overnight is even better. If you are soaking overnight, reduce the amount of milk slightly to prevent sogginess.
* **Use a Baking Rack (Optional):** For even browning, place the baking dish on a baking rack in the oven. This will allow the hot air to circulate around the dish more evenly.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking will result in dry French toast. Bake until the French toast is golden brown and puffed up, and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
* **Let it Rest:** Letting the baked French toast rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving will allow the custard to set up even more, making it easier to slice and serve.
## Variations on the Basic Recipe
The beauty of baked French toast is its versatility. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
* **Apple Cinnamon Baked French Toast:** Add 1 cup of diced apples and 1/2 teaspoon of apple pie spice to the custard mixture. Top with a streusel topping made from flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon before baking.
* **Berry Baked French Toast:** Add 1 cup of mixed berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries) to the custard mixture. Top with fresh berries after baking.
* **Chocolate Chip Baked French Toast:** Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the custard mixture. Top with more chocolate chips after baking.
* **Nutella Swirl Baked French Toast:** Spread a thin layer of Nutella between the bread slices before arranging them in the baking dish. Drizzle with more Nutella after baking.
* **Pecan Praline Baked French Toast:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans and 1/4 cup of brown sugar to the custard mixture. Top with a pecan praline topping made from pecans, butter, and brown sugar before baking.
* **Savory Baked French Toast:** Omit the sugar from the custard mixture. Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheese (such as cheddar, Gruyere, or mozzarella) and 1/4 cup of chopped ham or bacon to the custard mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
* **Overnight Caramel Apple Baked French Toast:** Peel, core, and slice 3-4 apples. Toss with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter (melted), and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Layer the apple mixture between the bread slices in the baking dish. Pour the basic custard over the bread and apples. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Before baking, sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans. Bake as directed.
## Detailed Variations Recipes
### Apple Cinnamon Baked French Toast
**Ingredients:**
* Basic Baked French Toast ingredients (see above)
* 1 cup diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
* 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
* **Streusel Topping:**
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the basic baked French toast recipe up to step 2 (making the custard).
2. Add the diced apples and apple pie spice to the custard mixture. Stir well to combine.
3. Prepare the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Arrange the bread slices in the baking dish as directed in the basic recipe.
5. Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, making sure to saturate all the pieces.
6. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top of the bread.
7. Bake as directed in the basic recipe.
### Berry Baked French Toast
**Ingredients:**
* Basic Baked French Toast ingredients (see above)
* 1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.)
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the basic baked French toast recipe up to step 2 (making the custard).
2. Add the mixed berries to the custard mixture. Gently stir to combine.
3. Arrange the bread slices in the baking dish as directed in the basic recipe.
4. Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, making sure to saturate all the pieces.
5. Bake as directed in the basic recipe.
6. Top with fresh berries after baking.
### Chocolate Chip Baked French Toast
**Ingredients:**
* Basic Baked French Toast ingredients (see above)
* 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate)
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the basic baked French toast recipe up to step 2 (making the custard).
2. Add the chocolate chips to the custard mixture. Gently stir to combine.
3. Arrange the bread slices in the baking dish as directed in the basic recipe.
4. Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, making sure to saturate all the pieces.
5. Bake as directed in the basic recipe.
6. Top with more chocolate chips after baking (optional).
### Nutella Swirl Baked French Toast
**Ingredients:**
* Basic Baked French Toast ingredients (see above)
* 1/2 cup Nutella
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the basic baked French toast recipe up to step 1 (preparing the bread).
2. Spread a thin layer of Nutella on one side of each bread slice.
3. Arrange the bread slices in the baking dish as directed in the basic recipe, with the Nutella side facing up.
4. Prepare the custard as directed in the basic recipe.
5. Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, making sure to saturate all the pieces.
6. Bake as directed in the basic recipe.
7. Drizzle with more Nutella after baking (optional).
### Pecan Praline Baked French Toast
**Ingredients:**
* Basic Baked French Toast ingredients (see above)
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* **Praline Topping:**
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the basic baked French toast recipe up to step 2 (making the custard).
2. Add the chopped pecans and brown sugar to the custard mixture. Stir well to combine.
3. Prepare the praline topping: In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, melted butter, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
4. Arrange the bread slices in the baking dish as directed in the basic recipe.
5. Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, making sure to saturate all the pieces.
6. Sprinkle the praline topping evenly over the top of the bread.
7. Bake as directed in the basic recipe.
### Savory Baked French Toast
**Ingredients:**
* Basic Baked French Toast ingredients (see above), OMIT the sugar
* 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Gruyere, mozzarella, etc.)
* 1/4 cup chopped ham or bacon (cooked)
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the basic baked French toast recipe, omitting the sugar from the custard mixture.
2. Add the shredded cheese and chopped ham or bacon to the custard mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
3. Arrange the bread slices in the baking dish as directed in the basic recipe.
4. Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, making sure to saturate all the pieces.
5. Bake as directed in the basic recipe.
## Serving Suggestions
Baked French toast is delicious on its own, but it’s even better with a few accompaniments:
* **Maple Syrup:** The classic topping for French toast. Use real maple syrup for the best flavor.
* **Powdered Sugar:** A simple and elegant topping that adds a touch of sweetness.
* **Fresh Fruit:** Berries, bananas, peaches, or any other fresh fruit make a delicious and healthy topping.
* **Whipped Cream:** A dollop of whipped cream adds a touch of indulgence.
* **Nuts:** Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
* **Chocolate Chips:** For the chocolate lovers out there.
* **Bacon or Sausage:** For a heartier brunch, serve with crispy bacon or savory sausage.
* **Scrambled Eggs:** A perfect complement to the sweetness of the French toast.
* **Fruit Salad:** A refreshing side dish to balance out the richness of the French toast.
## Storing and Reheating
**Storing:** Leftover baked French toast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
**Reheating:** 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 slices in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
## Conclusion
Baked French toast is a versatile and delicious dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its ease of preparation, customizable nature, and crowd-pleasing appeal, it’s sure to become a staple in your brunch repertoire. So, go ahead and try one of these recipes today, and experience the joy of baked French toast!
Now that you have all the knowledge you need, experiment with your favorite flavors and ingredients. The possibilities are endless! Don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with your own signature baked French toast recipe. Happy brunching!