This delicious baked, overnight Caramel French Toast is an easy breakfast to make for weekends, holidays, and house guests.
Imagine waking up to a kitchen filled with the decadent aroma of gooey caramel, golden brown toast, and a hint of fresh vanilla. That’s the magic of Caramel French Toast.
This delightful dish combines the richness of caramel with the soft, pillowy texture of brioche bread, all baked to perfection. It’s not just a regular French toast; it’s a morning experience that promises a delicious breakfast!
Caramel French Toast is a fun and yummy tradition in our home. The magic begins the night before, and by the next day, you’re only moments away from biting into a slice of heaven.
It’s the kind of dish that makes special occasions even more memorable. So, whether it’s Christmas morning breakfast or just a weekend treat, this is the recipe the whole family will love.
Waking up to a plateful of gooey caramel and fluffy French toast is just about the best start to a day I could think of!
Common Questions About Caramel French Toast
Why use brioche bread in this recipe?
Brioche is a buttery, slightly sweet bread, making it the best bread for this caramel-infused dish. Its texture soaks up the egg-milk mixture well, resulting in a moist yet fluffy French toast.
A great option is to let the bread cubes sit out overnight. They’ll dry out a bit and absorb even more of the sauce!
How important is the overnight rest?
Letting the bread soak overnight in the custard mixture ensures that every slice of bread absorbs the flavors fully, giving you that perfect dish the next morning. Trust me, you’ll really like what it does to the flavor and texture of your French toast!
What if I don’t have a 9×13 baking dish?
A similar-sized casserole dish or glass baking dish would work just as well. Ensure it’s deep enough to hold the slices of bread and caramel sauce without overflowing.
Keep in mind that you may have to adjust the cooking time a bit for good results.
Storage
If you’ve never made French toast this way, don’t worry! This will not come out as soggy French toast in the end. The egg mixture bakes to a wonderful consistency and I promise you’ll love it!
Refrigerator
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm.
Freezer
While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the baked French toast for up to a month. Wrap in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired.
Tips
Get ready for the best French toast you’ve ever had. Yes, I know that’s a bold thing to say. However, I can tell you plainly that this is one of those great recipes that you’ll want to save for later!
- Using slightly stale bread helps absorb the custard mixture better.
- Watching the caramel sauce on medium heat ensures it doesn’t overflow or burn.
- Serving with extra caramel on the side lets everyone customize their slice to their liking.
- Drizzling maple syrup or fresh fruit can add an extra layer of flavor and freshness.
Ingredients
I would call this a French toast bake or maybe a French toast casserole. Have you got a special name for this French toast recipe in your household? Let me know in the comments!
- Brioche bread
- Large eggs
- Whole milk
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Cinnamon/sugar mixture (optional)
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Heavy cream
How to Make Caramel French Toast
This recipe makes for one of the most easy breakfasts. Since you’re doing most of the work the night before, preparation on the day of is a snap. Yay for not having to get up so early!
- Slice the brioche into 1-inch cubes, be careful not to flatten the bread while cutting.
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt.
- Lightly spray the baking dish.
- Add the pieces of bread and then pour the egg mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle with the cinnamon/sugar mixture (optional).
- Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 6-8 hours overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.
- Add the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream to a saucepan.
- Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until all of the sugar has melted and the sauce begins to bubble. (watch this step it can overflow)
- Pour the caramel mixture over the soaked bread.
- Bake for 40 mins in your preheated oven or until the bread is crispy and the egg mixture has set.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Caramel French Toast
Make sure you have a good serrated knife for cutting up all those bread cubes. The right tool for the right job, right? Ha!
- 9×13 baking dish or casserole dish
- Medium bowl
- Cutting board
- Serrated knife
- Non-Stick Spray
- Plastic wrap
What to Serve With Caramel French Toast
Bacon and eggs on the side will always be a good choice. Heck, you could make it a full-on breakfast smorgasbord! Or you could serve this french toast all on its own. The choice is yours!
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Fresh berries or crisp apples
- A drizzle of homemade caramel or maple syrup
- A sprinkle of powdered sugar or extra cinnamon sugar
Why You Should Make Caramel French Toast
This is one of those breakfasts that I make for holidays. Every year we get together with family for brunch around Thanksgiving or Christmas and this is what I’ll bring. It’s a fun tradition that’s made a lot of memories!
- It’s a special breakfast treat, perfect for holiday mornings or Mother’s Day.
- The combination of gooey caramel and fluffy toast is irresistible.
- Prep is mostly done the night before, making the next day’s breakfast a breeze.
- It’s a guaranteed family favorite, loved by both kids and adults.
Variations and Add-Ins for Caramel French Toast
I think I would love the berry option. One of these days I’ll have to try it out. If you have any great ideas for way to change this recipe, let me know in the comments!
- Pecan Delight: Add a cup of pecans to the caramel sauce for a crunchy twist.
- Orange Zest: Mix in some orange juice or zest for a citrusy punch.
- Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle in some chocolate chips before baking for a choco caramel delight.
- Berry Fusion: Add a layer of fresh berries before pouring the caramel sauce for a fruity twist.
If you love this easy breakfast casserole recipe, you’re going to love these other fall morning treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Breakfast Casseroles
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake
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Caramel French Toast
Ingredients
French Toast
- 1 loaf brioche bread
- 6 eggs large
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
cinnamon /sugar mixture – optional
Caramel Sauce
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Slice the brioche into 1-inch cubes, be careful not to flatten the bread while cutting.
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt.
- Lightly spray the baking dish.
- Add the pieces of bread and then pour the egg mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle with the cinnamon/sugar mixture (optional).
- Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 6-8 hours overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream to a saucepan.
- Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until all of the sugar has melted and the sauce begins to bubble. (watch this step it can overflow)
- Pour the caramel mixture over the soaked bread.
- Bake for 40 mins or until the bread is crispy and the egg mixture has set.
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- medium bowl
- Cutting board
- Serrated Knife
- Non-Stick Spray
- Plastic Wrap
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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