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Baked French Toast Casserole

By Paula Deen

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Difficulty: Medium

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 8 hours 45 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

  • dash salt
  • 1 teaspoon divided ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon divided ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 1 loaf (13 to 16 oz) French bread
  • 1/2 lb plus more for pan butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 cup raspberry preserves
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9X13 casserole dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 °F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.

Praline Topping:

Combine butter, brown sugar, pecans, light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.

Raspberry Syrup:

Combine raspberry preserves, water and liqueur in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until warm and thinned out like syrup.

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May 08, 2022
Paula's French toast casserole is a Christmas brunch tradition with our family. We never have enough for leftovers! It's sinfully good. As she says, probably not something you'd want to have for breakfast everyday. For those who want a denser French toast, definitely recommend that you buy your French bread a few days ahead of time and let it get a bit stale before you make the casserole.

March 31, 2022
Amazing french toast, but like other reviewers, I sometimes found it to be soggy. I found another recipe that calls for cutting up the bread into cubes, so I tried it. I cut them approx. 1 inch and put the bread into the mixture, coat it well and keep turning it until it's even, then pour it in the pan. I use this recipe, but just cut the bread differently and it turns out much better. I make this for family and everyone prefers the cubes to the slices. I use Challah bread as well.

April 18, 2021
Looks delicious! (but more like a high calorie dessert). Bet it tastes good though! ?

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April 13, 2024
Can I make this two days ahead

The Deen Team

April 19, 2024

Paula recommends making it up the night before you plan to bake!

May 25, 2023
Bake covered or uncovered

Should this be baked covered or uncovered?



Thanks!


The Deen Team

June 21, 2023

You can bake uncovered!

September 03, 2020
French Toast Casserole was Mushy

I followed this French toast casserole recipe exactly.  The two front pieces were browned and firm with a little crispness - - perfection.  However, the remaining overlapping pieces came out mushy.  YUK!  I served this for a family get-together and although it looked and smelled delicious, the texture was very unappetizing.  Is there a way to prevent the mushiness?


The Deen Team

September 04, 2020

Try using a dryer or stale bread. Dryer bread will be able to absorb more liquid. If you're using soft, moist, fresh bread, try baking it at 300?F for 15 to 20 minutes to dry it out. If there is more than half a cup of liquid left in the dish when you check the casserole in the morning, drain a bit off before baking. We hope this helps!

April 16, 2019
How can I make it in a slow cooker?

The Deen Team

April 18, 2019

We recommend sticking to baking the casserole in the oven to keep the correct consistency and texture. Enjoy!