Name: Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 500 g brioche bread loaf, thickly sliced; 4 large eggs; 50 g light brown sugar; 1 zest of a large orange; 80 ml orange juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon fine salt; 1½ cups milk; 30 g butter, for greasing; 12 g coarse sugar (demerara sugar) for topping

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 61 reviews

If you’ve been searching for an indulgent, crowd-pleasing brunch treat, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite, the Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe. This recipe is exactly what breakfast dreams are made of—rich, custardy, and perfectly sweet with just a hint of orange zest to brighten every bite. Trust me, once you try making it, you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation, whether it’s for a lazy weekend or impressing guests. So, let’s dive into all the delicious details and tips I’ve learned from making this gorgeous casserole over and over.

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Why This Recipe Works

Brioche Bread Magic: The buttery, soft brioche soaks up the custard without turning mushy, creating a perfect texture balance.
Fresh Orange Zest and Juice: It adds a bright, citrusy zing that lifts the richness and keeps the flavor complex and interesting.
Overnight Soaking Time: Allowing the bread to absorb the custard fully guarantees a tender, custardy center every time.
Simple Yet Sophisticated: Minimal ingredients with a few special touches make this easy to prepare but still fancy enough to impress.

Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole, French Toast Casserole, Brunch Recipes, Breakfast Ideas, Easy Breakfast Casserole - A white rectangular baking dish holds three layers of golden-brown toast slices, each slice standing upright and slightly overlapping the next, forming a neat, angled pattern. The toast has a crunchy texture with some coarse sugar sprinkled on top. A woman's hand pours a light amber syrup over the toast, creating shiny pools of syrup that run into the layers. The dish rests on a light cloth with red stripes on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this baked brioche French toast casserole are straightforward, but each plays an important role in delivering fantastic flavor and texture. Using quality brioche is key — its buttery crumb is like a sponge for the custard. I always pick fresh eggs and whole milk to get that rich, creamy custard base, and the orange zest makes all the difference in adding freshness.

Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole, French Toast Casserole, Brunch Recipes, Breakfast Ideas, Easy Breakfast Casserole - Flat lay of a thick loaf of brioche bread sliced into triangles arranged neatly, four large clean eggs with uncracked shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light brown sugar crystals, a few fresh orange zests curled beside a small white bowl of bright orange juice, a small white bowl holding golden vanilla extract, a tiny pile of fine salt grains, a small white bowl of creamy milk, a smooth pat of pale butter on a simple white dish, and a small white bowl containing coarse demerara sugar crystals, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brioche Bread: Choose a day-old loaf or slightly stale to prevent the bread from falling apart; soft enough to soak up custard but holds shape well.
Eggs: They bind everything together creating that luscious custard that sets during baking.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds subtle caramel notes and sweetness without overpowering.
Orange Zest and Juice: The fresh zest brings brightness, while the juice adds moisture and subtle tang.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm aromatic undertones that deepen the flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors, preventing the dish from tasting flat.
Milk: Whole or full-fat milk is best for richness; it combines smoothly with eggs for custard.
Butter: Used to grease the dish and adds a lovely toasted flavor around the edges.
Coarse Demerara Sugar: Sprinkled on top for a crunchy, caramelized finish after baking.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how versatile the Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe is—there are so many fun ways to make it your own. Whether you’re tweaking it for dietary needs or playing with flavors, this casserole is a fantastic starting point for creativity.

Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle fresh berries on top before baking for a pop of color and tartness that pairs beautifully with the orange.
Dairy-Free Swap: Use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk and a dairy-free butter to make it suitable for lactose intolerance—it still bakes up just as creamy.
Spiced Version: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard mixture for a warmer, cozy spice flavor perfect for cooler mornings.
Nutty Crunch: Toss chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top right before baking for added texture contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Slice and Prep Your Brioche

Start by slicing your brioche loaf into about 1.5 cm thick slices—roughly 12 to 14 slices. I like to cut these slices diagonally into triangles because it makes the casserole look extra inviting and allows the custard to soak through more evenly. Trust me, the shape matters for both presentation and texture! If your brioche is fresh and super soft, toast the slices lightly to firm them up a bit before cutting; this helps prevent sogginess later on.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard

Next, grab a medium bowl and whisk the eggs until smooth. Add in light brown sugar, orange zest, fresh orange juice, vanilla extract, salt, and milk. Don’t rush this step; whisk until everything is well combined and you notice that gorgeous fragrant aroma from the orange and vanilla. The custard should be silky and smooth, ready to gently soak into your brioche triangles.

Step 3: Butter Up the Casserole Dish and Layer

Generously butter your casserole dish (I use a 9×13 inch, or 22×13 cm pan) all over—bottom and sides. This not only prevents sticking but also adds a subtle richness at the edges when the butter caramelizes. Dip each brioche triangle fully into the custard, making sure they’re soaked but not falling apart, and line them up in your dish with the points facing up. Once the dish is filled, pour any leftover custard over the top so every piece gets infused.

Step 4: Let It Rest and Sprinkle Sugar

This is a key moment: let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. I find this resting time lets the custard penetrate deeply into the bread, giving you that dreamy custard center instead of a dry interior. Before you pop it in the oven, sprinkle the coarse demerara sugar evenly on top—this creates a beautiful, crunchy caramelized crust that adds an irresistible texture contrast.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake your brioche French toast casserole at 165°C (340°F) for 25 to 30 minutes until it’s lightly golden and puffed up. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are crisp and the top has that gorgeous caramelized sugar crust. After removing it from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes; this helps everything set nicely and makes serving easier. Don’t forget the maple syrup drizzle right before digging in—it’s the finishing touch that takes this dish over the top.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh brioche can get too soggy, so I always prefer slightly stale or toasted slices for structure.
Don’t Skip the Soak Time: Letting the bread sit in the custard before baking makes every bite custardy and tender without falling apart.
Coarse Sugar Finish: Sprinkling demerara on top adds a little crunchy surprise against the soft bread—don’t leave this out!
Rest Before Serving: Giving the casserole 10 minutes to cool slightly lets it set and makes it easier to slice.

How to Serve Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole, French Toast Casserole, Brunch Recipes, Breakfast Ideas, Easy Breakfast Casserole - The image shows a white baking dish filled with layered toasted bread slices that are golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges, arranged upright and overlapping. The bread layers are sprinkled with coarse sugar and scattered with whole blueberries, red raspberries, and small chopped almonds, adding pops of dark blue, bright red, and light beige colors. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface, next to a white plate holding a piece of the bread pudding topped with whipped cream, extra berries, and nuts. The overall scene includes soft natural light highlighting the warm tones and textures of the baked bread and fresh fruit. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of keeping garnishes simple but vibrant. Piles of fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries add a juicy pop that balances the rich custard. A dusting of powdered sugar never fails to make it look festive, and a drizzle of real maple syrup just brings everything together in the best way. Sometimes, a few fresh mint leaves give it a fresh aroma, especially when serving guests.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I like to serve this casserole with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage to add some savory crunch. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette makes it feel a little lighter if you’re going all out. And don’t forget a hot cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice on the side—breakfast goals!

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this baked brioche French toast casserole in individual ramekins instead of a big dish—everyone loves their own personal portion! Another time, I added a layer of sliced almonds between the bread triangles for an elegant nutty surprise. If you want to impress at brunch, garnish with edible flowers or a swirl of whipped cream on top. These little touches make it extra fun and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I find the flavors actually deepen after a day or two. When reheating, just pop a slice or two in the microwave for a quick fix or heat the whole dish uncovered in a warm oven to bring back the crisp edges.

Freezing

This baked brioche French toast casserole freezes beautifully. I usually prepare it fully in a freezer-safe dish, wrap it well with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as usual. It’s a lifesaver for busy weekends or when you want to prep brunch ahead of time!

Reheating

For best results, reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the top is just a bit crisp again. This method revives the texture way better than microwaving alone, although the microwave is totally fine if you’re in a hurry—just expect a softer crust.

FAQs

Can I use other types of bread for this Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe?

Yes, while brioche is ideal because of its rich and tender crumb, you can substitute challah or even thick-cut Texas toast if you prefer. Just make sure the bread is slightly stale or toasted to avoid it turning into mush after soaking in the custard.
How far in advance can I prepare this casserole?

You can assemble the casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, just bake as directed for fresh, flavorful French toast with less hassle.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?

Absolutely! Kids often love the sweet, creamy texture, and the orange zest adds a mild fruity flavor that’s not overpowering. You can even add cinnamon for a familiar taste kids enjoy.
Can I add fruit inside the casserole?

Definitely! Feel free to tuck sliced strawberries, blueberries, or sliced bananas between the brioche triangles before baking. Just be mindful of moisture content so it doesn’t become soggy.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers without drying them out?

Reheating in a low oven (160°C/320°F) with a loose tent of foil helps maintain moisture while warming the casserole evenly. Avoid overheating to keep the custard soft and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s simple yet feels so indulgent—perfect for turning ordinary mornings into celebrations. I love how it brings family and friends together around the table, all eager for that first warm, custardy bite. You’ve got everything you need here to make it truly yours, and I’m confident it’ll become one of your kitchen favorites too. So grab that brioche and let’s get baking—your next unforgettable breakfast awaits!