Baked French Toast Recipe

French bread: A sturdy loaf that is perfect for soaking up the egg mixture.

Eggs: They provide structure and richness to the dish.

Milk: Adds moisture and helps to create a custard-like texture.

Heavy cream: Enhances the creaminess and richness of the French toast.

Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the flavors.

Vanilla extract: Infuses the dish with a warm, aromatic flavor.

Ground cinnamon: Adds a hint of spice and warmth.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

For an extra layer of flavor, try using day-old bread for this baked French toast. The slightly stale texture will absorb the egg mixture more effectively, resulting in a richer, more custard-like consistency. Additionally, consider adding a sprinkle of nutmeg or a handful of fresh berries to the egg mixture before baking for a delightful twist.

• french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, making it an excellent alternative for a more indulgent baked French toast.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah has a similar texture and sweetness, providing a slightly different but equally delicious flavor.

• eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. This is a great vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients together.

• eggs - Substitute with applesauce: Use ¼ cup of applesauce per egg. This adds moisture and a hint of sweetness, perfect for a fruity twist.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that works well in baked dishes, providing a slightly nutty flavor.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk is creamy and neutral in flavor, making it a good substitute for regular milk.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream is rich and thick, adding a subtle coconut flavor and making it a good dairy-free alternative.

• heavy cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be used to add creaminess and a slight tang, making the dish a bit lighter.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of maple flavor, perfect for a breakfast dish.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that adds a floral note and works well in baked goods.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor, adding a nutty aroma.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract can add a unique twist with its rich, sweet flavor.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices like nutmeg and cloves, adding a warm, complex flavor.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg has a warm, slightly sweet flavor that can stand in for cinnamon in a pinch.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and adds a slightly different mineral flavor.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a coarser texture and can be used as a direct substitute for regular salt.

• Allow the baked French toast to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the bread soggy.

• Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, transfer individual portions to airtight containers.

• Store the baked French toast in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

• For longer storage, freeze the baked French toast. Cut it into individual portions and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container.

• Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. The baked French toast can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

• To reheat from frozen, unwrap the desired portion and place it on a baking sheet. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

• For a quicker option, reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a piece on a microwave-safe plate and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover baked French toast in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the baked French toast on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a microwave-safe cover or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it heats evenly.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the baked French toast slices in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and slightly crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the baked French toast slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Oven: Used to bake the French toast to a golden brown and set the center.

• Baking dish: Holds the cubed French bread and egg mixture while baking.

• Mixing bowl: Used to whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Whisk: Essential for blending the egg mixture smoothly.

• Measuring cups: Needed to measure out the milk, heavy cream, and sugar accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt precisely.

• Knife: For cutting the French bread into cubes.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the French bread.

• Spatula: Helps to evenly distribute the egg mixture over the bread cubes.

• Oven mitts: Protect your hands when placing the baking dish in the oven and taking it out.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Cube the french bread and mix the egg mixture the night before to save time in the morning.

Use a large mixing bowl: This allows you to whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt more efficiently.

Soak bread thoroughly: Ensure all bread cubes are well-soaked by pressing them down gently with a spatula, reducing the need for extra mixing time.

Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven while preparing the bread mixture to streamline the process.