Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

If you’re dreaming of a cozy holiday morning or just want to impress your brunch guests with something utterly delicious, this Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe is absolutely the ticket. I love this because it’s rich, fluffy, and has the perfect balance of sweet custard and crunchy streusel topping. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a family favorite that keeps showing up at every holiday breakfast and weekend brunch I host!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Brioche French Toast Casserole lies in the harmony of simple, high-quality ingredients. Each adds its own touch: brioche bread soaks up the custard beautifully while the streusel topping adds a crispy, sweet finish. Grab the freshest eggs and a good quality vanilla extract for the best flavor kick.

• Half and half: Gives the custard richness without being too heavy like cream.
• Milk: Keeps the custard light and helps the bread absorb just right.
• Eggs: The backbone of the custard, providing structure and that lovely velvety texture.
• Brown sugar: Adds warmth and depth of flavor—don’t swap for white sugar here!
• Vanilla extract: To punch up sweetness and bring out all the other flavors.
• Cinnamon: A cozy spice that pairs perfectly with brioche.
• Kosher salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
• Brioche bread: This is non-negotiable—its buttery, slightly sweet crumb absorbs custard amazingly well.
• All purpose flour: For the streusel topping, to give it structure.
• Salted butter: Cubed cold butter is key for crumbly, melty streusel.
• Optional whipped cream: A homemade whipped cream topping takes this to the next level!

Variations

I love swapping things up with this Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe since it’s super versatile. Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins or customize it to your dietary needs to make it truly yours. Plus, these tweaks usually get my whole family excited to dig in!

• Additions: I often sprinkle chopped pecans or chocolate chips on top before pouring the custard—it adds a delightful crunch or bursts of sweetness.
• Fruit Variation: Toss in fresh berries or sliced apples for a fruity twist that brightens up the rich flavors.
• Gluten-Free: Swap the brioche for a gluten-free bread; just be sure to let it dry out a bit for better custard absorption.
• Less Streusel: If you’re not a huge topping person, cutting the streusel in half still keeps the texture contrast but with less sweetness.

How to Make Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Custard

Start by whisking the half and half, milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl until everything is smooth and combined. I always take a moment here to really break up the brown sugar so it dissolves nicely into the custard—this helps avoid gritty spots in your casserole.

Step 2: Arrange Brioche in Baking Dish

Grease a deep 3.5+ quart baking dish (something like a 9×13 inch that’s at least 2 inches deep works well). Then layer your sliced brioche pieces angled and overlapping slightly—this arrangement lets the custard seep through evenly. If your brioche is too fresh and soft, I highly recommend letting it dry out overnight; that way it holds up and soaks the custard without falling apart.

Step 3: Pour Custard & Let It Rest

Ladle the custard evenly over each piece, making sure every slice is saturated. This is my secret to a custardy, melting-in-your-mouth inside. Now, here’s a trick I learned: let the casserole rest for at least 15 minutes to soak up all that liquid. If you can make it overnight in the fridge, even better — it gives the bread a chance to absorb so much flavor.

Step 4: Bake Covered

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for about 25 minutes (or 30-35 minutes if coming straight from the fridge). This step gently cooks the custard through without drying it out.

Step 5: Prepare Streusel Topping

While the casserole bakes, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add cubed cold salted butter, then use a pastry cutter or fork to mix until you get small pea-sized clumps. I find this makes the perfect crumbly topping that turns golden and crunchy during the last bake.

Step 6: Top & Finish Baking

Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top, then bake uncovered for another 25-30 minutes until golden, bubbly, and irresistible. It will puff up quite a bit but don’t worry—it will settle as it cools.

Step 7: Let Cool and Serve

Once out of the oven, let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This lets it set so you get neat squares. If you’re adding homemade whipped cream (and trust me, you should), wait until it cools enough so your cream doesn’t melt away.

How to Serve Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping this casserole with a dollop of lightly sweetened homemade whipped cream for a creamy contrast, plus a few fresh berries or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a pretty touch. Sometimes, I also drizzle warm maple syrup or a dusting of cinnamon for extra flavor depth.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this French toast casserole are crispy bacon or sausages for a salty balance and some fresh fruit salad to brighten up the rich flavors. A hot cup of coffee or spiced chai pairs beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this casserole in individual ramekins or small oven-safe dishes—each guest gets their own perfect portion. You can also layer it with sliced fruit between the brioche layers for surprises inside. Sprinkle extra streusel on top for guests who love the crunch as much as I do!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover casserole? No problem. I store it in an airtight container in the fridge—this dish keeps exceptionally well for up to 2-3 days without losing any of its delicious texture or flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions before by wrapping slices tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results. This makes it easy to enjoy without cooking from scratch each time.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 350°F on a baking sheet, covered loosely with foil to prevent drying out, for about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave works when you’re short on time—just cover your plate to retain moisture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe is truly one of my all-time cozy breakfast favorites. It’s the dish I turn to when I want that perfect combination of indulgent and easy. I hope you’ll love making it just as much as I do, whether it’s for holiday mornings, special brunches, or even a comforting weekend treat. Give yourself the gift of a no-fuss yet wow-worthy recipe—your kitchen and tummy will thank you!

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