A Decadent And Easy Brunch Favorite
There’s something truly special about this oven-baked French toast. It starts with brioche bread, known for its rich egg and butter content, which creates a light, fluffy texture with a tender crumb. The flavors of vanilla and almond extract add a delicate warmth, while a dusting of cinnamon enhances every bite.
But what truly makes this dish irresistible is the warm maple syrup drizzled on top—don’t forget the sliced almonds for a satisfying crunch!
For more delicious breakfast recipes, try my double chocolate zucchini muffins, this easy snickerdoodle coffee cake, or these irresistible chocolate chip monkey bread muffins next!
Can This Be Prepped Overnight?
Yes and no. If using a sturdier bread—such as baguette or slightly stale challah—you can assemble this the night before. However, brioche is delicate, and if it soaks too long, it will disintegrate.
This recipe is designed to be quick and easy, with less than 10 minutes of prep time, making it perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekend brunches.
Simple Assembly
There are two ways to prepare this dish, but both start with a rich custard made from:
- Eggs
- Whole milk and heavy cream
- Pure vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste
- Ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt (which balances the sweetness)
Whisk the custard together in a large mixing bowl. Then, choose your method:
- Dip and Arrange: Quickly dip brioche slices (no more than 30 seconds per slice) and arrange them standing up in a baking dish.
- Pour and Soak: Arrange brioche slices in a baking dish, then pour the custard evenly over the top.
Pro Tip: Letting the brioche sit in the custard for too long (even a few minutes) will make it fall apart!
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350°F. Arrange custard-soaked bread slices in a loaf pan or baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
- Continue baking for 5 minutes more, just until golden brown.
- Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup!
And listen, if you love French toast as much as, say, my kids, try my overnight French toast casserole next! It’s loaded with blueberries, chocolate chunks, and a bright citrusy custard laced with orange zest. Easy and always a showstopper!
Make-Ahead & Store
- Make-Ahead: If using challah or baguette, you can assemble and refrigerate overnight.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals.
Serving & Pairing Suggestions
This easy baked French toast is such a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family breakfasts or hosting brunch. For a well-rounded meal, consider pairing it with:
- Eggs, such as: hard-boiled eggs, an omelette, or get fancy and make this irresistible eggs florentine!
- Fruit, yogurt, and granola. This granola recipe from EMP always disappears quickly!
- A fun brunch cocktail (a DIY Bloody Mary Bar is always a hit!)
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a brunch-worthy dish that’s guaranteed to impress. If you try this Oven-Baked French Toast, be sure to leave a rating and review below!
If you make this easy Baked French Toast recipe, please let me know by leaving a rating and review below!
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Oven-Baked French Toast with Buttery Brioche
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche
- 1 cup (240ml) milk, do not use non-fat
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pure almond extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ cup slivered almonds
- confectioners' sugar, for serving
- maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice brioche into ½-inch thick slices. Spray a standard-sized loaf pan with baking spray or line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
- Prepare the custard. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup milk, ½ cup cream, 4 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp almond extract, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, and ½ tsp Kosher salt.
- Prepare the french toast. Dip brioche into egg mixture, thoroughly coating each side, then place standing up in the loaf pan. Repeat until all bread is coated. You could also lay the bread flat in a baking dish and pour the egg mixture on top. Either way, don't leave the bread soaking for more than a minute or two. Brioche is extremely light and delicate, and additional time will cause it to fall apart.
- Bake the french toast. Bake for 30 minutes, then top with ¼ cup slivered almonds. Return to oven and cook for 5 minutes more, or until lightly golden brown on top and eggs has formed a thin crust on the bread. Cool for 10-15 minutes, then serve with powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Notes
- If you can’t find vanilla bean paste, simply omit and increase vanilla extract to 1 Tbsp.
- Do NOT leave brioche in egg mixture for longer than 30 seconds or it will disintegrate. Brioche is an extraordinarily light and airy bread, making it perfect for an oven baked french toast, but you definitely want it to maintain it’s shape!
Let us know your thoughts!