Waking up in the morning just got sweeter with this easy and delicious Cinnamon French Toast Bake baking in your oven! All of your favorite flavors combine to create the perfect breakfast or brunch treat.
2cupsunsweetened CashewMilk(or whole milk - see Notes)
½cupbrown sugar(lightly packed)
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
1Tablespoonpure vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
½cupall-purpose flour
½cupbrown sugar(lightly packed)
1teaspoonground cinnamon
¼teaspoonsea salt
6Tablespoonsunsalted butter(softened)
½cupchopped pecans(optional)
maple syrup(for serving)
Instructions
French Toast
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush baking dish with softened butter, set aside.
Cut French bread into large cubes and place them in a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish. Set aside
Whisk the eggs together in a large bowl, preferably one with a pouring spout.
Add the milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and whisk to thoroughly combine.
Pour evenly over the bread cubes. Gently toss the bread cubes with the egg mixture to coat.
Option 1: Cover and refrigerate overnight.Option 2: Sprinkle with the cinnamon topping and bake.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
Mix the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt together in a medium sized bowl. Blend in the softened butter with a fork or your finger until the butter is evenly distributed and resembles wet, clumpy sand. Stir in the chopped pecan if using.
Sprinkle the topping over the egg coated bread cubes and bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes, until puffed, golden brown, and cooked in the center.
Remove from oven and serve immediately with pure maple syrup, and maybe even a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Notes
If you do not like nutmeg, go ahead and leave it out.
I love pecans, but walnuts or even almonds would be delicious as well.
I used unsweetened CashewMilk because I have to. Feel free to substitute whole milk, or a combination of milk and heavy cream.
For a dairy-free meal {my version is lactose-free} substitute coconut oil for the butter.
This Cinnamon French Toast Bake is the perfect way to use up French bread that is a day or two old.
The dryness of your brown sugar will affect your topping. Start with 6 Tablespoons of butter if your brown sugar is brand new and still moist. Add more if needed. If your brown sugar is already open and on the dry side, use 8 Tablespoons of butter.