Slices of bread are drenched in eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, then cooked in Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole.
Its creamy, custard-like texture and sweet, cinnamon taste make it a popular breakfast or brunch meal.
This classic meal is commonly served with fresh fruit, syrup, or powdered sugar and may include vanilla flavor, orange zest, or almond extract.
The dish is normally cooked the night before to allow the bread to soak up the custard ingredients and bake evenly.
French toast is a global morning favorite. However, standing at the stove and turning slices of bread can be time-consuming and tedious.
The baked French toast casserole makes it easy to enjoy French breakfast’s great flavors without the trouble.
I’ll show you how to prepare the perfect baked French toast casserole and answer some FAQs in this post.
How To Make Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
Add the bread cubes to the dish, spreading them out evenly.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until they are light and frothy.
Add the milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to the eggs and mix until everything is well combined.
Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, making sure to cover all the pieces evenly.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Remove the plastic wrap from the dish and bake the casserole for 40-45 minutes, or until it’s puffed and golden brown.
Serve the baked French toast casserole hot, topped with maple syrup and fresh fruit (if desired).
Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole Ingredients
- 1 loaf of bread (about 1 pound), sliced into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- Butter, for greasing the dish
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Fresh fruit, for serving (optional)
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread for the casserole?
Absolutely! French toast casseroles are versatile, and you can use any type of bread you prefer. Challah, brioche, or white bread all work well, but you can also experiment with different types of bread, such as whole grain, sourdough, or even gluten-free bread.
Can I make the casserole ahead of time?
Yes! This is one of the best things about baked French toast casseroles – you can make them the night before and pop them in the oven in the morning. Simply refrigerate the dish after you’ve poured the egg mixture over the bread cubes and covered it with plastic wrap.
Can I freeze the casserole for later?
French toast casseroles can be frozen for two months. Wrap the dish in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake it as suggested to serve.
Can I make the casserole without the heavy cream?
Yes, you can make the casserole with just milk if you prefer. However, the heavy cream adds richness and a creamy texture to the dish, so I would highly recommend using it if possible.
Can I add other ingredients to the casserole?
Yes, there are many ways to customize your baked French toast casserole. Some popular additions include chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, dried fruit, like raisins or cranberries, and spices, like cardamom or allspice.
You can also add a sprinkle of brown sugar or a drizzle of honey on top of the casserole before baking for a little extra sweetness. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and make it your own!
How To Serve Homemade Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole
It’s easy to serve baked French toast casserole. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes after baking. After that, cut it into squares or rectangles and serve it on plates.
Add maple syrup and fresh fruit to each serving if preferred. The casserole’s warm, fluffy texture, sweet syrup, and juicy fruit will make a luxurious morning.
Plating the dish and presenting it family-style is another option. For special brunch or breakfast guests, this is great.
Put the dish in the middle of the table and let everyone serve themselves. Offer fresh berries, whipped cream, and syrup to customize each serving.
How To Store and Reheat
For meal prep or leftovers, baked French toast casserole is easy to store and reheat. After the casserole cools to room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it. It should last 3-4 days.
Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it come to room temperature to reheat. Reheating choices follow. First, warm the casserole in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This preserves the casserole’s texture and flavor.
Individual microwave reheating is another possibility. Heat a piece of the casserole in a microwave-safe dish for 30-60 seconds until it’s warm. This is a fast way to reheat the casserole, but it may soften.
Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of bread about 1 pound, sliced into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- Butter for greasing the dish
- Maple syrup for serving
- Fresh fruit for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
- Add the bread cubes to the dish, spreading them out evenly.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until they are light and frothy.
- Add the milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to the eggs and mix until everything is well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, making sure to cover all the pieces evenly.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the plastic wrap from the dish and bake the casserole for 40-45 minutes, or until it’s puffed and golden brown.
Notes
- Experiment with different flavorings and spices to make the casserole your own. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, or allspice for a warm and cozy flavor. Or, stir in some vanilla extract or almond extract for a sweet, nutty flavor.
- Make sure to soak the bread in the egg mixture for at least 10 minutes, or even overnight, so that it has time to absorb the flavors and become tender.
- The casserole should be baked until it’s golden brown and slightly puffed. This will ensure that it’s fully cooked and has a crispy texture on top.
