Cinnamon baked French toast is a decadent and easy breakfast dish perfect for brunch gatherings or lazy weekend mornings. It combines the classic flavors of French toast with the convenience of a make-ahead casserole. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of French bread (or challah/brioche), cut into cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bread: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the cubed bread into the dish, arranging it evenly.
- Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring that all pieces are soaked.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally, overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture.
- Make the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the cold butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Bake: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread mixture.
- Bake Time: Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden and the custard is set. For a softer texture, bake for the shorter time; for a firmer texture, bake longer.
- Serve: Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh berries if desired.
This cinnamon baked French toast is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be customized with additional ingredients like nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips for added indulgence. Enjoy!
CALORIES:
The calorie count for Cinnamon Baked French Toast will depend on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes. However, I can provide an estimate based on the common ingredients listed in the recipe.
Here’s a breakdown:
- French bread (1 loaf, about 1 pound): 1,200–1,400 calories
- Eggs (8 large): 560 calories
- Whole milk (2 cups): 300 calories
- Heavy cream (1 cup): 820 calories
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): 400 calories
- Brown sugar (½ cup): 400 calories
- Butter (½ cup for the topping): 800 calories
- Flour (½ cup for the topping): 225 calories
- Other ingredients (vanilla, cinnamon, etc.): negligible calories
Total estimated calories for the whole dish: 4,705–4,905 calories.
If you divide the casserole into 8 servings, each portion would have approximately 590–610 calories.
These are approximate values and may vary depending on the specific ingredients you use (like the type of bread or cream).
