Baked French Toast Recipe

French bread: A fresh loaf of sliced French bread is ideal for soaking up the custard mixture and providing a soft, yet slightly crispy texture when baked.

Eggs: Eggs are the base of the custard mixture, giving it structure and richness.

Milk: Milk helps to create a smooth and creamy custard mixture.

Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds richness and a luxurious texture to the custard.

Sugar: Sugar sweetens the custard mixture, balancing the flavors.

Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds a warm and aromatic flavor to the dish.

Ground cinnamon: Ground cinnamon provides a hint of spice and warmth, enhancing the overall flavor.

Salt: Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

To ensure your baked french toast has a rich and creamy texture, allow the bread slices to soak in the egg mixture for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the bread absorb all the flavors and moisture, resulting in a custardy interior. If you have the time, you can even refrigerate the dish overnight for an even more decadent breakfast treat.

• sliced french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche has a similar texture and richness, making it a great alternative for baked French toast.

• sliced french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is another rich, eggy bread that works well in baked French toast recipes.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoon water per egg. This is a good vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• eggs - Substitute with silken tofu: Use ¼ cup blended silken tofu per egg. This provides a similar texture and moisture.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that works well in baked recipes.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk has a creamy texture that makes it a good substitute for regular milk.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream provides a rich, creamy texture and is a good dairy-free option.

• heavy cream - Substitute with evaporated milk: Evaporated milk is less rich but still provides a creamy texture.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a unique flavor.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that can be used in place of sugar.

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

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract adds a sweet, rich flavor similar to vanilla.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other warm spices.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, slightly sweet flavor similar to cinnamon.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar flavor.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a similar taste and can be used in the same quantity.

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

• Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the French toast slices to an airtight container. This keeps the toast fresh and prevents it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.

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

• For longer storage, consider freezing the baked French toast. First, allow it to cool completely, then wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method ensures that each slice remains intact and easy to reheat.

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

• When ready to eat, remove the desired number of slices from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, you can also reheat directly from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

• To add a touch of crispiness, consider reheating the French toast slices in a toaster oven or on a griddle for a few minutes on each side. This will revive the delightful texture and flavor.

• Serve with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the experience.

• 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.
  5. 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 with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not heated through, continue in 30-second increments until warm.

• 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 slices of the baked French toast in the skillet.
  4. Cover with a lid and heat for 2-3 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 slices of the baked French toast in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even warming.
  4. Remove when the French toast is heated through and the edges are crispy.

• Oven: Used to bake the French toast at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for whisking together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Whisk: Helps to thoroughly combine the ingredients in the mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth custard mixture.

• Baking dish: Holds the sliced French bread and the egg mixture, allowing for even baking.

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

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Knife: Useful for slicing the French bread if it is not pre-sliced.

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

• Cooling rack: Allows the baked French toast to cool slightly before serving, preventing it from becoming soggy.

• Serving spatula: Helps to serve the baked French toast neatly.

Prepare the egg mixture in advance: Mix the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt the night before. Store it in the fridge to save time in the morning.

Use pre-sliced bread: Opt for pre-sliced french bread to avoid the hassle of cutting it yourself.

Line the baking dish: Use parchment paper or a non-stick spray to line your baking dish. This makes cleanup quicker and easier.

Preheat the oven early: Turn on your oven while you prepare the ingredients to ensure it's ready to go when you are.