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| nutritional information (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 472 | calories |
| 23g | Fat |
| 55g | carbohydrates |
| 13g | protein |
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| nutritional information | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 8 | |
| amount per serving | |
| calories | 472 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| 23g | 30% |
| Saturated Fat 11g | 54% |
| 183 mg | 61% |
| 503 mg | 22% |
| 55g | 20% |
| dietary fiber 2g | 6% |
| Total sugar 32g | |
| 13g | |
| Vitamin C 1 mg | 4% |
| Calcium 170 mg | 13% |
| iron 3 mg | 15% |
| Potassium 290 mg | 6% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) indicates how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories per day is used for general nutritional advice. | |
(Nutritional information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
French Toast Casserole is the best way to enjoy all the flavors of French toast without having to stand by the stove to dip and flip individual slices. If you've ever tried making French toast for a large crowd, you know that feeling of being stuck in the middle of a loaf of bread and thinking, “What have I done?” and I'm hungry!” A French toast casserole solves that problem. Even better, this dish tastes best when made the night before, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven.
What ingredients does a French toast casserole contain?
French Toast Casserole is made with all the usual French toast ingredients: bread, eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla. We use half and half for a rich custard and sprinkle in some toasted pecans for more flavor and some texture. Feel free to substitute walnuts or chocolate chips, or omit the additions altogether.
A little extra we add to our French Toast casserole is a blend of granulated sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon. Sprinkling this on top of the casserole before baking creates a crispy caramelized crust on top that adds cinnamon toast crunch vibes. You can vary the spices in the topping for a different flavor profile. Try ground cardamom or even pumpkin pie spice.
How do you make French toast casserole?
The French toast casserole is very easy to prepare. Bread cubes and nuts are placed in the casserole dish, then the egg and milk mixture is poured over them. However, the key to this dish is the overnight soaking. This step ensures the stale bread has enough time to absorb the rich custard so every bite tastes perfect.
Does the French toast casserole have to stand overnight?
If you'd rather not make this the night before, you can combine the bread and custard mixture in a large bowl. Let sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure all of the bread cubes are nicely soaked. Then pour the mixture into the casserole dish, sprinkle with the icing and bake. Check doneness a few minutes early, as the casserole will not cook straight out of the fridge, nor will it take as long in the oven.
What to serve with French toast casserole
Serve French toast casserole with sausage or patties, crispy bacon or vegetable sausage, because the combination of maple syrup and hearty breakfast meat is one of the beautiful things in life. Serve the table with warm maple syrup and softened, salted butter for those who prefer their French toast to be bold, and flaky sea salt for guests who love a salty-sweet contrast. Add a bowl of fruit salad or sliced fruit to complement. Brunch has never been easier!
Tips for preparing a French toast casserole
- Leaving the casserole in the fridge overnight will allow the custard to soak evenly into the bread so every bite is a perfect bite.
- Be sure to use toasted pecans. The roasting brings out the flavor of the nuts.
- Instead of half and half, you can use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream in any ratio you want.
- If you like a less sweet French toast casserole (so much the better if you add more maple syrup when serving), reduce the sugar in the custard to 1/3 to 1/2 cup.
- This recipe works especially well with stale or stale bread. Buy your bread ahead of time or tear it into cubes and let it sit uncovered on a baking sheet for a few hours to dry out a bit.
