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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.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6

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
 

Prepare the bread base:

  • Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange baguette slices in overlapping rows.

Make the custard:

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and creamy.

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.)

Bake:

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

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.

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.

Notes

  • 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.