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Crispy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Crunch

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A quick and easy baked French toast casserole featuring cinnamon-spiced custard-soaked bread topped with a sweet, crunchy brown sugar pecan topping. Perfect for cozy breakfasts or brunches with a delightful texture contrast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf of day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% milk, or dairy-free almond milk)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (can be swapped with extra milk)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (use vegan butter for dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Cut day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Avoid packing cubes too tightly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt until smooth.
  3. Pour custard evenly over bread cubes, pressing gently to help absorption. Let sit 15-20 minutes at room temperature or cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
  4. Mix chopped pecans, brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack in the middle position.
  6. Sprinkle pecan crunch topping evenly over soaked bread. Bake for 40-45 minutes until topping is golden brown and custard is set but moist. Test doneness by inserting a knife in the center; it should come out clean.
  7. Allow casserole to cool 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. The topping will crisp further as it cools.

Notes

Use day-old or stale bread for best texture to absorb custard without becoming mushy. If topping browns too fast, tent loosely with foil during last 10 minutes of baking. For best slicing, use a sharp serrated knife. Soaking bread overnight enhances flavor and texture. Unsalted butter is recommended for topping to control salt. Pecan topping can be substituted with walnuts or toasted coconut flakes.

Nutrition

Keywords: French toast casserole, cinnamon, pecan crunch, baked breakfast, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, cinnamon French toast, pecan topping

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/crispy-baked-cinnamon-french-toast-casserole-with-brown-sugar-pecan-crunch-recipe/