Cinnamon Baked French Toast

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:

1. Prepare the Bread: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the cubed bread into the dish, arranging it evenly.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Bake: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread mixture.
6. 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.
7. 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).