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Deep-Dish Brioche French Toast
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5 / 8 votes

Brioche French Toast

The last thing you need to worry about on a weekend morning is breakfast. With this deep-dish brioche French toast, you assemble it today, let it sit in the fridge overnight, and tomorrow slide it in the oven. By the time the gang wakes up, breakfast will be on the table.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time5 hours 25 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: French
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 1022

Equipment

  • Slow cooker (if following the slow cooker method)

Ingredients

  • Butter, for greasing pan
  • One (24-ounce) brioche loaf (or challah bread), cut into 1-inch (25 mm) cubes
  • One (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut into 18 cubes
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of grated nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter

To serve

  • Confectioners' sugar
  • Pure maple syrup, warmed
US - Metric

Instructions

  • To make the Brioche French Toast in your slow cooker, see the Slow Cooker Variation below.
    To make the Brioche French Toast in your oven, generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place half the bread in a single layer, filling in all the gaps. Evenly scatter the cream cheese cubes, nuts, and raisins on top. Cover completely with the remaining bread.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Evenly pour the egg mixture over the bread. Gently press down on the bread with your palms to encourage the top layer to absorb the liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
  • Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Remove the dish of brioche French toast from the refrigerator and let sit 20 minutes at room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap and replace it with aluminum foil. Bake the French toast for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until the bread is nicely toasted and there's no liquid puddling on the bottom.
  • Transfer the dish to a wire rack and drizzle the melted butter on top. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to release the French toast. Let sit for 5 minutes before you cut it into squares, arrange on individual plates, and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Serve along with the warmed maple syrup. (If you have leftovers—which is sorta doubtful—cover the dish with foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat it in a moderate oven until warmed through.)

Notes

Slow Cooker Variation

This already easy make-ahead recipe just got even easier. Assemble all the ingredients in the insert portion of your slow cooker, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Place the insert back on the slow cooker base and cook on low for 3 1/2 hours.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 1022kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 504mg | Sodium: 831mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g