French Toast Casserole

by

A great breakfast recipe when you have people over for breakfast.

Casserole Ingredients:

  • 10 cups good quality French bread, Sourdough Ciabatta cubed.
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
  • 5 large eggs.
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk.
  • 1/4 cup white granulated sugar.
  • Zest of one medium sized orange.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup cranberries.
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter.
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  • Pinch of salt.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), Place an oven rack in the center position.
  2. Cube the bread, Slice the bread into 1-inch slices and then cut then slices into 1-inch cubes. You can also tear the bread apart with your hands. Leave the crusts on.
  3. Layer the bread and pecans in a baking dish, Lightly grease a 2-quart (if you want thicker slices) or 3-quart baking dish (if you want thinner slices) with cooking spray or butter. Add enough bread cubes to cover the bottom. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of pecans on top. Continue layering the bread chunks and pecans.
  4. Prepare the custard, In a small bowl, whisk the eggs together. Add the milk, su.ar, orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt, and mix well. Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over all the bread chunks. (I found it easier to pour the mixture into a large measuring cup with a spout first before pouring the mixture over the bread.)
  5. At this point, the casserole can be baked right away, or covered and refrigerated over night.
  6. Drizzle with topping, In another bowl, mix the melted butter with the brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Using a spoon, drizzle the mixture evenly over all the bread chunks.
  7. Bake, Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 35 to 45 minutes. I baked mine for about 38 minutes. Leave the casserole in the oven longer if you want the chunks of bread on the top to be browner and crunchier.
  8. Remove from the oven, cool, Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
  9. Sprinkle dried cranberries and dust powdered sugar on top, if you like. Serve with maple syrup at the table.