If you just found out you are expecting unexpected guests, we’ve got breakfast covered for you! This easy, make-the-night-before Cinnamon French Toast Bake will be a welcoming sight for your weary travelers. This bread pudding wannabe drenched in a cinnamon and nutmeg heavy cream dream will have your unannounced callers thinking about calling again soon… but seriously, you may never get rid of them! So, fluff the pillows, be cordial, and lay out the Cinnamon French Toast Bake for your beautifully welcoming breakfast table. It’s where your hospitality begins!
Ingredients
For the French toast:
- 1 loaf crusty sourdough bread or French bread, torn into cubes
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
For the cinnamon topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- nutmeg, optional, to taste
- 1 stick butter, cold, cut into pieces
- fresh fruit, optional, to taste
For serving:
- butter, to taste
- maple syrup, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter.
Step 2 –Evenly distribute the bread cubes into the prepared pan.
Step 3 –In a medium bowl, mix the eggs, the milk, the heavy cream, the sugar, and the vanilla extract together.
Step 4 –Pour the egg mixture over the bread pieces, cover tightly, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
Step 5 –In a separate bowl, mix the flour, the brown sugar, the cinnamon, the salt, and the nutmeg together.
Step 6 –Cut the butter pieces into the flour mixture until it resembles fine pebbles.
Step 7 –Transfer the flour mixture into a large plastic resealable bag, seal, and store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Step 8 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 9 –Transfer the French toast mixture from the fridge and sprinkle it with the fruit and the cinnamon topping.
Step 10 –Bake the French toast mixture for 45 minutes for a soft, bread pudding texture or 1 hour for a firmer, less liquid texture.
Step 11 –Serve the French toast bake with the butter and drizzle with the maple syrup.
