Description
This make-ahead Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Bake features thick slices of bread soaked in a spiced custard, baked to golden perfection with a crisp cinnamon sugar topping. Perfect for cozy mornings or holiday brunches.
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf Challah bread, thickly sliced (about 3/4 inch per slice)
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk (2% or whole milk)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons cinnamon–sugar mix (white sugar blended with cinnamon)
- Butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Arrange thick Challah slices in the dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour mixture evenly over the bread, pressing slices down to absorb the custard.
- Let soak for at least 1 hour or cover and refrigerate overnight for best results.
- Before baking, let dish sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons of cinnamon–sugar over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 25–30 minutes, until puffed and center is set.
- Serve warm with maple syrup or extra cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- Challah is best, but brioche or thick French bread also work well.
- Brown sugar can be used for a deeper topping flavor.
- Add nuts or raisins between bread layers for texture.
- Use part half-and-half for a richer custard base.
- Letting it rest overnight improves texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
