Description
This Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole is a delightful breakfast or brunch dish featuring thickly sliced brioche soaked in a fragrant orange-infused custard, baked until golden and topped with coarse sugar for a perfect sweet crunch. Serve warm with maple syrup for a comforting and flavorful morning treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 brioche bread loaf (500 g), 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
For Baking
- 30 g butter (for greasing)
- 12 g coarse sugar (demerara sugar) for topping
Instructions
- Slice the Bread: Slice the brioche loaf into 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) thick slices, about 12 to 14 slices. Then, cut each slice diagonally in half to form triangles.
- Prepare 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 well combined to form a smooth custard.
- Grease the Casserole Dish: Butter a 22 x 13 cm (9×13 inch) casserole dish thoroughly on the base and sides, reserving some butter to dollop around the base.
- Soak the Bread: Fully submerge each brioche triangle in the custard mixture and arrange them in the casserole dish point side up. Pour any remaining custard over the bread to ensure thorough soaking.
- Let Stand: Allow the soaked bread to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to absorb the custard and develop flavors.
- Add Sugar Topping: Sprinkle the coarse demerara sugar evenly over the top of the soaked bread triangles before baking.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 165°C (340°F) for 30 minutes until the top is lightly golden and the custard is set.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup for best taste.
Notes
- Use day-old or stale brioche bread for better structure and soaking; fresh bread may fall apart when soaked.
- Letting the bread soak for 30 minutes is key to infuse flavors and ensure custard penetrates the bread well.
- The casserole can be covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days; reheat gently before serving.
- Freeze assembled casserole in a freezer-safe dish wrapped well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Step-by-step photos are available on the blog post for visual guidance.
- Serving warm brings out the best flavor and texture; enjoy immediately after baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
