Name: Easy French Toast Casserole (Make-Ahead Breakfast Bake)
Ingredients: 1 loaf (16 oz / 450g) brioche or challah bread, cut into 1″ cubes; 6 large eggs; 2 cups whole milk; ½ cup heavy cream; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt; 1 cup fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries); ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts; 1 tsp orange zest; Streusel: ¼ cup flour + ¼ cup brown sugar + 2 tbsp cold butter + ½ tsp cinnamon; Simple finish: Powdered sugar + maple syrup

Ingredients

Scale

For the casserole:

1 loaf (16 oz / 450g) brioche or challah bread, cut into 1” cubes
6 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Optional add-ins:

1 cup fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries)
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 tsp orange zest

For topping (choose one):

Streusel: ¼ cup flour + ¼ cup brown sugar + 2 tbsp cold butter + ½ tsp cinnamon
Simple finish: Powdered sugar + maple syrup

Instructions

Prep: Grease a 9×13″ baking dish. Place bread cubes in dish (add berries/nuts if using).
Make custard: In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Soak: Pour custard over bread. Press down gently to submerge. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Add streusel (if using): Mix streusel ingredients; sprinkle over top.
Bake 45–55 minutes, until puffed, golden, and center is set (165°F internal temp).
Cool 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup.

💡 Pro Tips:
– Use stale bread for best texture—it soaks up custard without turning mushy.
– For extra richness, swap half the milk with eggnog during the holidays!
– Make it gluten-free: use GF bread and check all labels.

Prep Time & Nutrition (per serving, serves 8):