Description
A comforting, make-ahead breakfast dish featuring bread cubes soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard and baked until golden. Perfect for brunches, holidays, or any weekend morning.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (16 oz) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Powdered sugar and maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the cubed French bread and spread evenly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined.
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently to ensure all pieces are soaked. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Drizzle melted butter over the top of the casserole.
- Bake, covered with foil, for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup before serving.
Notes
- Using day-old or slightly stale bread yields the best texture.
- For a crunchier topping, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar or chopped nuts before baking.
- You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter custard.
- Variations include adding berries, diced apples, or chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 317 calories
- Sugar: 0g (estimated, actual may vary)
- Sodium: 0mg (estimated, actual may vary)
- Fat: 12g (estimated, actual may vary)
- Saturated Fat: 0g (estimated, actual may vary)
- Unsaturated Fat: Unknown
- Trans Fat: 0g (estimated, actual may vary)
- Carbohydrates: 41g (estimated, actual may vary)
- Fiber: 0g (estimated, actual may vary)
- Protein: 9g (estimated, actual may vary)
- Cholesterol: 0mg (estimated, actual may vary)
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