![To make Easy French Toast Bake, gather these simple ingredients: - 8 slices of stale bread (preferably French or brioche) - 4 large eggs - 2 cups milk - 1/2 cup heavy cream - 1/3 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 cup maple syrup (plus more for serving) - 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional) - Powdered sugar for dusting Choosing the right bread is key to great French toast. I like using stale French or brioche bread. Stale bread soaks up the custard better. You can also try challah for a rich flavor. Avoid fresh bread, as it can get soggy. Feel free to get creative! Add nuts for crunch or fresh fruit for sweetness. Here are some options: - Berries like strawberries or blueberries - Bananas for a fruity twist - Chocolate chips for a sweet treat - Spices like cardamom or ginger for a different flavor For the full recipe, follow the instructions carefully to ensure a perfect bake! First, gather your ingredients. You need: - 8 slices of stale bread (preferably French or brioche) - 4 large eggs - 2 cups milk - 1/2 cup heavy cream - 1/3 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 cup maple syrup (plus more for serving) - 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional) - Powdered sugar for dusting Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Next, cut the stale bread into cubes. Spread the bread evenly in the dish. If you like nuts, sprinkle half of the walnuts over the bread. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. Mix until smooth. Pour this mixture over the bread cubes. Press the bread down gently. This helps every piece soak up the custard. If using, sprinkle the remaining walnuts on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil. Bake for an extra 15-20 minutes. You want the top to turn golden brown and the center to set. Let the French toast bake cool for a few minutes. Dust the top with powdered sugar. Slice it into portions and serve warm. Drizzle more maple syrup on each serving if you like. For extra flair, add fresh berries or whipped cream. You can find the full recipe for this sweet cinnamon delight in the [Full Recipe]. To get the best texture, use stale bread. Stale bread soaks up the custard well. If your bread is fresh, let it sit out for a few hours. Cut it into cubes for even soaking. Soak the bread in the egg mixture for at least 30 minutes. This time helps the custard seep in. For a softer center, cover the dish while baking. Remove the cover for the last 15 minutes to get a nice golden top. You can swap ingredients easily. Use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk. If you want a lighter dish, pick low-fat milk. You can also replace heavy cream with more milk. For eggs, try flaxseed meal mixed with water for a vegan option. If you don’t like nuts, leave them out or use seeds instead. Changing the spices can create new flavors, too. Try cardamom or ginger for a fun twist. Serve your French toast bake warm right from the dish. It feels cozy and inviting. For a touch of elegance, transfer it to a wooden board. Dust with powdered sugar for a sweet look. Add fresh berries or sliced bananas on top. A dollop of whipped cream makes it special. Drizzle more maple syrup for extra sweetness. You can also serve it with yogurt for a creamy side. Check out the Full Recipe for more ideas! {{image_2}} You can make this Easy French Toast Bake your own with some fun flavors. Here are some ideas: - Berry Bliss: Add 1 cup of fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries into the bread. - Chocolate Delight: Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a sweet touch. - Nutty Banana: Slice 1 banana and mix it in with the bread for a fruity twist. - Coconut Dream: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk and sprinkle shredded coconut on top. You can customize your French toast bake for different diets. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread. For a vegan option, replace eggs with 1/4 cup of ground flaxseed mixed with 1/2 cup of water. Use plant-based milk and cream. This keeps the dish tasty and friendly for everyone. Seasonal ingredients can take your French toast bake to new heights. In the fall, try adding diced apples and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice. For winter, mix in some candied citrus peel or dried cranberries. In spring, fresh mint or lemon zest can brighten the dish. In summer, use peach slices or other ripe fruits. Each season brings its own tasty surprises! These variations make the Easy French Toast Bake a fun dish to explore. Don't hesitate to mix and match your favorites to create something new! After enjoying your Easy French Toast Bake, store any leftovers in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure it cools down before sealing. This helps keep the texture nice and fresh. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the slices in a baking dish. Cover it with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 15-20 minutes until warm. You can also use a microwave. Heat individual slices for about one minute. Check to see if it's warm throughout. You can freeze the Easy French Toast Bake for later. After baking, let it cool completely. Cut it into slices and wrap each slice in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped slices in a freezer bag. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. To enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as mentioned above. It takes about 15 minutes to prep and 40 minutes to bake. In total, you need about 1 hour. This includes the time to let it cool a bit before serving. You can enjoy it warm, fresh from the oven! Yes, you can prepare it the night before. Just follow the steps and cover it tightly. Place it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, bake it straight from the fridge. This saves time and makes breakfast easy! You can serve it with many delicious sides. Here are some ideas: - Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) - Maple syrup for extra sweetness - A dollop of whipped cream - Yogurt for creaminess - Bacon or sausage for a savory touch Yes, you can make it dairy-free! Just swap the milk and cream for plant-based alternatives. Almond milk or oat milk works well. Use dairy-free butter for greasing the dish. You can still enjoy the great taste without dairy! Find the full recipe [here](#). This blog post covered how to make an Easy French Toast Bake. We explored ingredients, like the best bread types and fun add-ons. I shared simple steps for prepping, baking, and serving. You learned tips for texture and ingredient swaps, plus cool variations for everyone. I also shared how to store leftovers and answered some common questions. Making this dish offers a warm, tasty meal for any time. Enjoy trying new flavors and sharing with friends!](https://toastedrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7ac1253a-2445-4677-aa5d-cde3f886417f-300x300.webp)
Easy French Toast Bake
Start your morning right with this Easy French Toast Bake, the ultimate breakfast treat! Perfect for gatherings or a cozy family brunch, this simple and delicious recipe combines stale French or brioche bread with a rich custard for a warm, comforting dish that everyone will love. Explore fun customization options and presentation tips to make it uniquely yours. Click now to dive into the recipe and make breakfast your favorite meal of the day!