Best Baked French Toast Recipe
Need a Great Make-Ahead Special Breakfast?
Do you have a special brunch or breakfast you are planning? Or are you hosting a holiday brunch like Easter or Mother's Day? Try this fabulous baked french toast recipe. This has become one of my family's favorite recipes and everyone raves about it when I make it. The best thing about it is that I can do it the night before and it couldn't be easier! The only preparation the day I am hosting is the yummy brown sugar sauce that takes about 5-10 minutes to make. After I do that the rest is up to the oven!! Serve this delicious french toast with a fruit salad, bacon or sausage. I promise that this do-ahead recipe will not disappoint! This recipe is fun to make on special mornings too like New Year's Day or Christmas Eve morning...or maybe for a special birthday treat for a loved one!
If you are looking to make a smaller batch, just half the recipe and use a 8x8 square pan instead. I do that all the time for me and my hubby. Leftovers are great reheated in the microwave too! I hope you enjoy this terrific recipe as much as I do! Enjoy!
Rich and sweet but not too sweet...this make ahead recipe is sure to please both adults and kids alike!
Serving Size
Serves: 6 (approx. 2 slices each)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf french bread cut diagonally in 1" slices
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cup half and half
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon (to your liking)
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3 tbsp. light corn syrup
- 1 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Butter a 9x13" baking dish. Arrange slices of bread on the bottom of the dish. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, half and half, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour egg mixture over bread slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees while preparing the following: In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Heat until bubbling, making sure to wisk as you go every several minutes. Wisk more often as the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling througout mixture pour over your bread slices making sure to coat each slice with the sugar mixture. Bake in a preheated oven, uncovered for 4o minutes. (You may want to put a cookie sheet underneath the baking dish in case of bubble over).
- Tips: On rare occassions when the store is out of french bread (this has happened to me!) I have substituted with ciabatta bread. The ciabatta bread seemed to come out with a bit of a crunch on top so if you prefer a crunch you may want to try the ciabatta bread, however I preferred the original recipe with french bread but in a pinch probably any long loaf bread without seeds will work.
Pour egg mixture over your bread slices - Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.
Make the Brown Sugar Sauce - Combine sugar, butter and corn syrup into a heavy bottom saucepan.
Make the sugar syrup - Combine the ingredients and wisk until bubbling all around the pan.
Pour Sugar Mixture over Sliced Bread - After the sugar mixture comes to a boil, pour it over the bread slices. Place in oven and bake.
Enjoy! - Serve alone or with syrup, I prefer it as is!
Tips and Tricks...
When you are making the brown sugar mixture it is important to have a heavy duty pot. Also, make sure to use a pot big enough to prevent boil overs. As this mixture heats up it starts to expand so you want to watch it carefully. Also, keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn.
To get prepared for making the brown sugar mixture for the following morning I have all my ingredients ready including measuring cups and spoons set up on the counter the night before (except the butter). Just prior to my guests arriving I make the brown sugar sauce and pour it over the bread. This gives me time to mingle with guests as they arrive and not worry about cooking after they arrive. I make sure to set the timer on my stove and this way I can enjoy time with my guests as my yummy breakfast cooks away.
Another tip, if you are able to, several hours after letting the bread sit in the refrigerator with the egg mixture flip it over once. I like to do that so it evenly absorbs the mixture, but it isn't necessary.
Serve this yummy breakfast with a bowl of fresh fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, and fresh melons. It helps to lighten up the heaviness of this super rich breakfast. Somehow it makes it seem not as bad!!
