French Toast Casserole with Pecans and Maple Glaze Recipe
This French Toast Casserole is a comforting and festive breakfast dish, featuring rich custard-soaked bread baked with a crunchy pecan topping and finished with a sweet maple glaze. Perfect for a holiday morning or weekend brunch, it combines classic flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup in an easy-to-make casserole format.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Bread and Topping
- 1 loaf of bread (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup whole pecans (for topping)
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (to mix in custard)
Custard Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Maple Glaze
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cut Bread: Slice the loaf of bread evenly into 1-inch cubes to ensure they soak up the custard mixture uniformly.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
- Add Pecans: Stir in the chopped pecans into the custard mixture with a spatula, distributing them evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Place the bread pieces evenly into a deep casserole dish. Pour the custard and pecan mixture over the bread, gently tossing or pressing to coat all the bread pieces thoroughly. Sprinkle the whole pecans evenly on top as a crunchy topping.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes. This initial covered baking allows the custard to soak and set.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set.
- Prepare Glaze: While the casserole bakes, melt the unsalted butter and maple syrup together in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream until a thick, smooth glaze forms.
- Serve: After removing the casserole from the oven, drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top. Serve immediately to enjoy the warm, rich flavors.
- Enjoy: Dig in and savor this comforting French toast casserole with its perfect blend of texture and sweetness.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption of the custard mixture.
- Whole milk and heavy cream contribute to a richer custard, but you can adjust with lighter milk for a lower fat version.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and substitute topping with sliced almonds or skip nuts altogether.
- Make the glaze ahead and reheat gently if desired.
- This casserole can be assembled the night before and refrigerated overnight before baking for convenience.
- Use a sturdy bread like brioche or challah for best texture and flavor.
