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Easy Cinnamon Maple French Toast Casserole

Easy Cinnamon Maple French Toast Casserole - featured image

A cozy and comforting breakfast casserole infused with warm cinnamon and sweet maple syrup, perfect for lazy mornings, holiday breakfasts, or brunch gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups day-old brioche or challah bread, cubed
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk or 2% milk (almond milk for dairy-free option)
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup (Grade A recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Cube day-old brioche or challah into roughly 1-inch pieces and spread evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, sugar, and salt until fully combined and slightly frothy.
  3. Pour custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, gently pressing down with a spatula to help the bread soak it up. Let rest for at least 10 minutes at room temperature or cover and refrigerate overnight for best results.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Drizzle melted butter over the soaked bread. If using, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts evenly on top.
  6. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and custard is set (a knife inserted should come out clean).
  7. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture; fresh bread may become soggy. Soaking overnight in the fridge yields the best custard softness. Cover casserole with foil during baking to prevent over-browning and remove foil at the end for a crispy top. For dairy-free, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives and ensure bread is vegan-friendly.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon, maple syrup, french toast casserole, breakfast casserole, easy breakfast, brunch, comfort food