Description
This Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole is a deliciously rich and comforting breakfast or brunch dish made with thick slices of brioche soaked in a fragrant orange and vanilla custard, baked to a golden perfection. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd and can be prepared ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 500 g brioche bread loaf, thickly sliced
Custard
- 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
Instructions
- Slice the Brioche: Cut the brioche loaf into 1.5 cm thick slices, about 12 to 14 slices total, then cut each slice diagonally in half to create triangles.
- Make the Custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 4 eggs, light brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla extract, fine salt, and milk until fully combined.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 22 x 13 cm (9×13 inch) casserole dish thoroughly with butter, including base and sides, reserving some butter to dollop in the dish.
- Soak the Bread: Fully submerge each brioche triangle into the custard mixture, then arrange them point-side up in the casserole dish. Pour any remaining custard over the bread pieces. Dollop any leftover butter around the base.
- Rest the Casserole: Let the soaked bread stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow full absorption of flavors.
- Add Coarse Sugar: Sprinkle the coarse (demerara) sugar evenly over the top of the soaked bread before baking.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 165°C (340°F) for 30 minutes until the casserole is lightly golden and set.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes to settle, then serve warm with maple syrup drizzled over the top.
Notes
- Use day-old brioche or slightly stale bread for best texture; fresh bread can become too soft and fall apart when soaked.
- Soaking the bread for 30 minutes at room temperature allows the flavors to infuse and custard to penetrate fully.
- This casserole can be covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days; reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Freeze the prepared casserole in a freezer-safe dish wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Serve warm straight out of the oven with maple syrup for best flavor and texture.
- For accuracy, use digital kitchen scales when measuring ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
