Lauren Lane

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Brioche French Toast Casserole

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If you're searching for the best Brioche French toast recipe for a weekend brunch, this one will be your go-to for years to come.

brioche-french-toast-casserole in glass baking dish

Brioche French toast casserole is the ultimate way to elevate your breakfast or brunch game. Picture thick slices of brioche soaking up a rich, custardy egg mixture, then baked or pan-fried to golden perfection and topped with all your favorite French toast toppings. This recipe isn't just foolproof-it's incredibly versatile. No brioche? No problem! Hawaiian bread or even a classic French loaf will work beautifully.

❤️ Why You'll Love Brioche French Toast Casserole

Best part of the overnight French toast casserole...you can make it ahead! Just assemble everything the night before, let the bread soak up all the flavors, and bake it in the morning for an effortless, crowd-pleasing dish.

Whether you're hosting brunch or treating yourself to a slow weekend breakfast, this French toast will have everyone coming back for more. And trust me-it's so easy to make!

🍲 Key Ingredients

Key ingredients that go into brioche French toast, overnight casserole on a rustic cutting board. It includes brioche bread, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar.

Brioche - So what makes brioche the star of the show? Brioche is a soft, slightly sweet bread that's richer than regular bread because it's made with eggs and butter.

Eggs - Any eggs will do. If a recipe calls for large eggs but you only have a different size, you can adjust using these general conversions. If using medium eggs, use one extra for every four large eggs. If using extra-large or jumbo, use one less for every four large eggs.

Whole milk - You can actually use any milk you have on hand, but whole milk adds to the richness of this french toast.

Pure Vanilla Extract - Pure vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and water, resulting in a rich, natural flavor with no artificial additives. Regular (or imitation) vanilla extract is made with synthetic vanillin, often derived from wood pulp or other sources, and usually contains additional sweeteners or additives.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Brioche French Toast Casserole

How to Make Creamy Parmesan Chicken

You're about 30 minutes from cheesy, creamy, one-pan happiness.

  1. Cube Bread. Add to the greased baking.
  1. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla extract. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes
  1. Cover tightly with foil.
    Refrigerate for two hours or overnight and bake.
  1. Make Topping.
  1. Sprinkle topping
    Over the top of the casserole. Replace the foil cover and bake.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

  • Stale bread works really well for this overnight brioche French toast casserole. If you don't already have stale bread, you can spread the brioche slices on a baking sheet and dry the bread in a low oven (300°) for 20-30 minutes. If you don't want to hassle with that, it will still be delish!
  • If you want a less-sweet French toast, you can cut back on or skip the brown sugar in the base. But for the streusel topping, the sugar is a must!

🗒 Variations

  • Stove-Top Version: Brioche French Toast and Toppings Bar
  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread (brioche if you can find it) and gluten-free flour for the cinnamon streusel.
  • Add nuts or dried fruit as an option.
  • Dairy-free: Use non dairy milk like almond milk, and use coconut oil for the topping.
  • Individual servings: You can divide the recipe into ramekins and place them on a baking sheet to bake for individual servings. Baking time may be reduced.
  • Cinnamon Raisin: I love to use Cinnamon Raisin bread as a variation.


🗒 Substitutions

  • Substitute dairy free milk for the whole mik.
  • Substitute brown sugar for the regular sugar.
  • Substitute challah bread or french bread for brioche bread.


🗒 Best served with:

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A cooked baked make-ahead breakfast strata
A baked make-ahead breakfast meat and cheese strata recipe.

👝 How to Store Leftover Brioche French Toast Casserole

Keep any leftover brioche French toast casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For a quick reheat, microwave individual portions for 20-30 seconds.

🤔 Brioche French Toast Casserole FAQ

Can I make this Brioche French Toast Casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! Let it sit in the fridge overnight so the bread soaks up all that custardy goodness. Just bake it fresh in the morning!

Do I have to use brioche?

Nope, but brioche gives it that rich, buttery flavor. Challah or a thick-cut white bread works too!2

Can I freeze this Brioche French Toast Casserole?

Unbaked, you can freeze the casserole in the baking dish, tightly wrapped in foil and then plastic wrap. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then bake as instructed. I don't recommend freezing this recipe after baking because the texture will change once it's thawed and reheated.

What if I don't have brown sugar?

You can swap in white sugar, add maple syrup or molasses for a little extra flavor. Pro tip: Brown sugar is white sugar and molasses.

Why is my Brioche French Toast Casserole is soggy?

You might've added too much liquid or not baked it long enough. Make sure it's set in the middle before pulling it out of the oven!

How do I keep the top of my Brioche French Toast Casserole from getting too dark?

If you see the top getting too nope dark, add the foil back to the dish and continue to bake.

I hope you love this as much as I do! And let me know what you think in the comment section!

brioche-french-toast-casserole in glass baking dish

Brioche French Toast Casserole

Lauren Lane
This Brioche French Toast Casserole is an easy, indulgent breakfast that's perfect for busy mornings or special occasions. Made with buttery brioche, a rich custard, and a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping. The Overnight Brioche French Toast Casserole is an easy, indulgent breakfast that's perfect for busy mornings or special occasions.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 341 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 loaf brioche bread gluten free if desired
  • 6 large eggs beaten
  • 2 ½ cups milk whole
  • ½ cup brown sugar light or dar brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries optional

Topping- Optional

  • ½ cup flour gluten free if needed
  • ½ cup brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon less if desired
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ cup cold butter cut into pieces

Instructions
 

  • Use butter or cooking spray to grease a 9" x 13" baking dish.
  • Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla extract.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes.
  • Cover the pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
  • In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
  • Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Put the topping mixture in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the fridge.
  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • If using add blueberries over the top of the bread.
  • Sprinkle topping evenly over the top of the casserole. Replace the foil cover.
  • Bake tightly covered for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake anot

Notes

Bread Slices: Stale bread is the way to go for this recipe! If your brioche is fresh, just spread the slices on a baking sheet and dry them out in a 300°F oven for 20-30 minutes. You want thick slices cut into 1-inch cubes-too small, and you'll end up with a soggy bake.
Sugar: If you like a less sweet French toast, you can cut back on or skip the brown sugar in the custard. But for the streusel topping? You need the sugar!
Add-Ins: Blueberries are my go-to, but this recipe is super easy to customize. Try strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries for a berry twist. In the fall, apple or pear slices are amazing. Want something tropical? Mix in mango or pineapple and swap the cinnamon for shredded coconut. Feeling indulgent? Toss in chocolate chips and top with whipped cream. I also love adding finely chopped pecans or flaked almonds to the streusel for extra crunch.
Gluten-Free: Swap in gluten-free brioche (if you can find it!) and use gluten-free flour for the streusel.
Dairy-Free: Use almond milk (or another non-dairy option) and replace the butter in the topping with coconut oil.
Individual Servings: For a fun twist, divide the mixture into ramekins, set them on a baking sheet, and bake. Just keep an eye on them—baking time will be shorter.
What to Serve With It: Drizzle with maple syrup and serve alongside crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or fresh fruit.
Storage: Leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked casserole right in the dish—just wrap it tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed. I don’t recommend freezing it after baking—the texture gets weird once thawed and reheated.

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 8gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 248mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 668IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 144mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Lauren Lane says

    5 stars
    Brioche French Toast.....the upgraded, decadent French toast with all the benefits of a make-ahead brunch casserole!

5 from 1 vote