French Toast Bake

This French Toast Bake is a golden, custardy breakfast casserole made with soft French baguette slices soaked in vanilla-cinnamon custard and baked until crisp on the edges and tender in the center. Finished with a warm buttery maple glaze, it’s the perfect make-ahead brunch for holidays, weekends, or cozy mornings at home.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love this French Toast Bake because it turns a classic breakfast favorite into an effortless crowd-pleaser. No standing over a skillet — just layer, soak, bake, and drizzle with maple glaze. The combination of crusty bread, spiced custard, and buttery sweetness makes every bite feel comforting, elegant, and irresistibly delicious.

French Toast Bake

There’s something undeniably comforting about French toast — the sweet aroma of cinnamon and vanilla, the golden crisp edges, and that custardy, melt-in-your-mouth center. This French Toast Bake captures all that nostalgia but makes it easy enough for any morning.

Instead of flipping slices on the stovetop, this recipe lets your oven do the work. You’ll layer slices of French baguette in a baking dish, pour over a rich vanilla custard, and bake until golden and puffed. The result? A perfect balance of creamy, tender interiors and crisp, caramelized tops.

The secret lies in the bread. French baguettes have the perfect structure — firm enough to hold their shape after soaking, but with enough softness to absorb the egg-milk custard beautifully. Letting the bread rest in the custard gives every slice time to soak up that rich, aromatic mixture of milk, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean paste.

Then comes the best part: the maple glaze. Made with butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup, it’s warm, silky, and slightly sticky — the perfect drizzle for balancing the baked custard’s light sweetness. When poured over the hot French toast, it melts right in, coating each bite with buttery caramel notes.

This dish is both cozy and elegant. It’s special enough for a brunch table, but easy enough for a lazy Sunday morning. It’s also wonderfully versatile — you can prep it the night before and simply bake in the morning for a stress-free, impressive breakfast.

Each bite has that mix of soft, spiced custard inside and golden, slightly crisp edges outside. The vanilla bean adds depth, while a touch of nutmeg rounds out the warmth of the cinnamon.

Top it off with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of extra maple syrup for the finishing touch. Pair it with fresh berries or a side of crispy turkey bacon for a balanced, restaurant-quality meal.

It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent yet simple — one that makes your kitchen smell like a bakery and keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

This baked version of classic French toast is a lifesaver during the holidays or whenever you want to serve a crowd. It bakes up beautifully, slices cleanly, and reheats well — making it perfect for brunch buffets or potlucks.

So if you love the flavor of classic French toast but want an easier, hands-off approach, this French Toast Bake with Maple Glaze is the ultimate solution.

Servings & Time

• Servings: 6–8

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes

• Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the French Toast Bake:

• 3 small French baguettes, ends trimmed and cut into ½-inch slices

• 1½ cups milk

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar (plus more for garnish, optional)

For the Maple Glaze:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter

• ¼ cup packed brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or more, to taste)

Instructions

1. Prepare the bread base:
   Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange baguette slices in overlapping rows.

2. Make the custard:
   In a mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and creamy.

3. Soak the bread:
   Pour the custard evenly over the bread slices, ensuring each piece is moistened.
   Gently press down with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
   (Optional: cover and refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor.)

4. Bake:
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown on top and custard is set.

5. Make the maple glaze:
   While the French toast bakes, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
   Stir in brown sugar and maple syrup, cooking until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly (about 2–3 minutes).
   Remove from heat and keep warm.

6. Finish and serve:
   Once baked, remove French toast from the oven and drizzle immediately with warm maple glaze.
   Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Tips

• Make-ahead:
  Assemble the French toast the night before and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning for easy entertaining.

• Bread choice:
  Day-old baguettes or slightly stale bread work best — they absorb the custard without getting soggy.

• Flavor upgrades:
  Add a handful of chopped pecans, raisins, or a few slices of banana before baking for a fun twist.

• Serving ideas:
  Serve warm with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup.

• Storage:
  Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.