Breakfast made easy.
Brioche French Toast Casserole is a comforting and crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch dish. It combines rich, buttery brioche with warm spices and a custard-like filling for the perfect holiday or weekend treat. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice cook, this guide will walk you through creating the perfect Brioche French Toast Casserole.
What is brioche?
Brioche is a type of enriched dough made with eggs, butter and milk. It’s airy and soft texture absorbs the custard from French toast evenly without becoming soggy or falling apart. When baked, brioche develops a beautiful crispy, golden exterior, thanks to its butter and sugar content.
Why you'll love my recipe.
Customizable
Add your favorite toppings like fresh berries, nuts or drizzle of maple syrup.
Make-ahead friendly
Prepare it the night before and bake it fresh in the morning.
Feeds a crowd
Ideal for serving a group without the hassle of flipping individual slices. This recipe is extremely easy to make! You literally can make everything in one bowl.
Ingredient notes.
Brioche bread
We use store bought brioche bread. Its soft and buttery texture absorbs the custard perfectly. Substitute with challah or Texas toast, if needed.
Eggs
Eggs are the foundation of this custard.
Heavy whipping cream
You can top your French toast casserole with whatever you like – ice cream or maple syrup. We like to enjoy it with fresh fruit, a dusting of powdered sugar and homemade whipped cream.
Milk and eggnog
We love making this recipe using seasonal ingredients and replace the heavy cream in the custard with our favorite eggnog from Organic Valley. A combination of these two dairy products adds a perfect balance of richness and flavor.
Spices
Ground cinnamon, all-spice and a pinch of sea salt.
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe index card below!
How to make Brioche French Toast Casserole.
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For full details, see recipe index card below!
Prepare the bread
Slice and cut the brioche into 1″ cubes and place in a 9″x13″ buttered baking dish.
Prepare the custard
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, eggnog, sugar and spices.
Combine
Pour the custard over the bread, ensuring all the pieces are soaked. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the bread into the custard.
Cover overnight or bake immediately
You have the option to cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight or bake immediately. If refrigerating overnight, let the French toast sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking, while the oven preheats. If making the same day, let the assembled casserole sit for at least 30 minutes before baking to fully absorb the custard. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set.
Can I use French bread instead of brioche?
Yes, you can but the texture and flavor will be different than my recipe. Brioche is buttery, soft and creamier in texture. French bread is typically firmer, less rich and neutral in flavor. If you prefer to use French bread, cut the bread into thinner, smaller pieces to avoid a dry casserole and add an extra egg or more heavy cream to increase the custard creaminess to compensate for the bread firmness.
Can I make this casserole the night before?
These kind of simple recipes are my favorite! Yes, you can prepare everything the night before, cover with foil and refrigerate. It’s as simple as that! Let the French toast sit at room temperature for 20 minutes while the oven preheats. Bake uncovered for 38-40 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set.
What's the best way to prevent sogginess?
Ensure the bread is slightly stale and allow the custard to soak in evenly.
