Oh my goodness, y’all! Let me tell you about this absolutely divine breakfast recipe that has my family practically fighting over the last bite every single weekend. As a busy mom who loves creating magical moments in the kitchen, I’ve perfected this French Toast Casserole with Maple-Pecan Crumble that’ll make you feel like you’re brunching at a fancy restaurant – but in your PJs!
Listen, honey, this isn’t your regular old French toast. This is the “make your mother-in-law finally approve of you” kind of French toast. Trust me, I’ve been there! 😉
What You’ll Need:
– 1 large loaf of brioche bread (day-old is perfect!)
– 6 large eggs (farm-fresh if you’re fancy like that)
– 2½ cups whole milk
– 1 cup heavy cream
– ½ cup maple syrup
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
– Pinch of salt
For that heavenly crumble topping:
– 1 cup pecans, chopped
– ½ cup brown sugar
– ½ cup flour
– 1 stick butter, cold and cubed
– ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Y’all, here’s where the magic happens! First, cut that gorgeous brioche into chunky 1-inch cubes. Spread them in a buttered 9×13 baking dish – make it look pretty, we eat with our eyes first!
In a bowl, whisk together those eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and spices until they’re dancing together perfectly. Pour this mixture over your bread cubes, making sure every piece gets some love. Cover it up and let it chill in the fridge overnight (this is where patience comes in, ladies!).
Hey! If you’re loving this recipe so far, make sure to follow me on Newsbreak for more drool-worthy recipes that’ll make your family think you’ve been secretly taking culinary classes!
Now, for the morning show: Preheat that oven to 350°F. While it’s warming up, make your crumble topping by mixing the pecans, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Work in that cold butter with your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this goodness all over your soaked bread mixture.
Bake for about 45-55 minutes until it’s golden brown and slightly puffy. The center should be set but still have a tiny bit of wobble – like a good dance move! 😘
Let it cool for about 10 minutes (I know it’s hard, but trust your girl on this one). Serve it up with extra maple syrup, fresh berries, and maybe a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling extra!
This recipe serves 8-10 people, or 4-5 if you’ve got teenagers like mine who eat like they’re training for an Olympic event!
Pro tip: If you’ve got leftovers (which, honey, is rare in my house), it reheats beautifully the next day. Just pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds!
Don’t forget to follow me on Newsbreak for more family-favorite recipes that’ll have everyone begging for seconds! Drop a comment below and let me know if this French Toast Casserole was a hit at your breakfast table – I love hearing your kitchen success stories! And if you made any tweaks, share them with our cooking community. We’re all in this delicious journey together! 💕
Bon appétit, darlings! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go make this again because just writing about it has me craving it something fierce! 🍳✨
