Soft Spice Baked French Toast (Printable)

Custardy baked French toast with warm spices, ideal for cozy brunches or simple dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 1 loaf (approximately 16 oz) brioche or challah, day-old, sliced thick

→ Custard

02 - 4 large eggs
03 - 2 cups (16 fl oz) whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) heavy cream
05 - 1/3 cup (2.3 oz) light brown sugar
06 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
11 - Pinch of salt

→ Topping

12 - 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
13 - 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) light brown sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Optional Garnishes

15 - Maple syrup
16 - Powdered sugar
17 - Fresh berries

# How To Make It:

01 - Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Place the bread slices in the dish, overlapping slightly for even coverage.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt until smooth.
04 - Pour the custard evenly over the bread and gently press down to ensure saturation.
05 - Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl; drizzle evenly over the soaked bread.
06 - Cover the casserole and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight to enhance flavor absorption.
07 - Set the oven temperature to 350°F.
08 - Uncover and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
09 - Allow to cool slightly before serving warm with optional maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Infused with warm spices for cozy flavor
  • Easy to prepare for weeknight dinners or weekend breakfasts
02 -
  • For a nutty twist, add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping
  • Substitute half-and-half for the milk cream mixture if preferred
03 -
  • Cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight for best texture and flavor
  • Use day-old bread for better absorption without sogginess
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