The Best Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe Ever

Barefoot Contessa’s french toast casserole awakens sleepy mornings with a culinary symphony of flavors that sparkle on your plate.

Luxurious ingredients waltz together, creating a breakfast masterpiece that transcends ordinary morning meals.

Challah bread soaks up a velvety custard, promising decadent morsels that whisper comfort and excitement.

Scattered raspberries burst with vibrant sweetness, transforming this classic dish into a gourmet experience.

Each carefully layered bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures that dance across your taste buds.

This recipe offers a foolproof way to elevate weekend brunch from mundane to magnificent.

Dazzle everyone at the breakfast table with this irresistible morning marvel.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 8

All the Ingredients in Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole

• Challah Bread: Select soft, slightly day-old bread for better custard absorption.
• Sourdough Bread: Robust texture works wonderfully as an alternative base.

• Eggs: Choose fresh, room-temperature large eggs for smooth blending.
• Half-and-Half: Opt for high-quality dairy for richer, creamier texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Select pure cane sugars for deep, caramel-like sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure extract for authentic, vibrant flavor profile.
• Orange Zest: Pick bright, fragrant oranges with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Salt: Fine sea salt enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Fresh Raspberries: Select plump, deeply colored berries without soft spots.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Use fine-ground sugar for elegant, even dusting.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Choose dark, grade A maple syrup for robust sweetness.
• Additional Orange Zest: Grate fresh zest for bright, citrusy garnish.

What Tools Are Needed for Barefoot Contessa French Toast Casserole

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious vessel for whisking eggs and creating smooth custard.
• Whisk: Perfect tool for blending ingredients until silky and well-combined.
• 9 x 13 x 2-inch Baking Dish: Roomy pan for layering bread and custard mixture.
• Measuring Cups: Precise tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Plastic Wrap: Covers dish during chilling to lock in flavors.
• Aluminum Foil: Optional cover to prevent over-browning during baking.
• Grater: Handy for zesting fresh orange.
• Spatula: Helps spread bread and press down layers gently.
• Sifter or Fine Strainer: Great for dusting confectioners' sugar on top.
• Oven: Key for baking casserole to golden perfection.

Instructions to Make Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole

• Prepare Your Baking Dish

Grab a baking dish and coat every inch with soft butter, making sure no spot is left uncovered.

• Craft Decadent Custard

Whisk eggs, cream, sugars, vanilla, orange zest, and a pinch of salt together until silky smooth. The mixture should look creamy and inviting.

• Layer with Love

Create a delightful base by spreading half the challah bread across the buttered dish. Sprinkle raspberries generously, then top with remaining bread pieces. Let the colors and textures dance together.

• Infuse and Chill

Pour the luscious custard over the bread, gently pressing to help it soak up all the delicious flavors. Dust with a sprinkle of sugar, then tuck the dish into the refrigerator for an hour to let the magic happen.

• Bake and Transform

Heat the oven to 350°F. Slide in your creation and bake for about an hour until it turns golden and puffy. If the top starts getting too dark, just drape some foil over it. Let it rest for a few minutes after baking.

• Finish with Flair

Dust the casserole with powdered sugar and a sprinkle of fresh orange zest. Serve with a pitcher of maple syrup on the side, inviting everyone to indulge in this breakfast masterpiece.

Tweak the Flavor of Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole

Swap raspberries with blueberries, strawberries, or mixed berries for vibrant flavor variations.

Try different bread types like brioche, croissants, or cinnamon raisin bread to transform the dish’s texture and taste profile.

Enhance the custard with a splash of Grand Marnier, bourbon, or almond extract for a sophisticated adult twist.

Prepare the entire casserole the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for stress-free entertaining.

How to Plate Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole

• Brunch Brilliance: Serve this raspberry challah bread pudding as the centerpiece of a weekend brunch, accompanied by crispy bacon or fresh fruit salad for a balanced meal.
• Sweet Syrup Symphony: Drizzle pure maple syrup generously over each serving, allowing the warm pudding to soak up the golden sweetness and enhance its rich flavors.
• Elegant Garnish Glow: Sprinkle extra fresh raspberries and a delicate dusting of confectioners' sugar on top to create a visually stunning and delectable presentation that will impress guests.
• Companionship Comfort: Pair this luxurious bread pudding with a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or a refreshing mimosa to elevate the breakfast or brunch experience.

Planning & Storing Barefoot Contessa French Toast Casserole

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its delectable texture and flavor.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or reheat the entire dish in a 325°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through and slightly crispy on top.
• Smart Freezing Strategy: Wrap cooled bread pudding tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve its original delightful taste and consistency.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the entire dish the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Simply bake in the morning for a stress-free, impressive breakfast that will delight family and guests with minimal morning effort.

Cozy Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

French toast casserole from Barefoot Contessa delivers comfort with rich custard-soaked bread and warm spices. Overnight preparation ensures a hassle-free breakfast you can savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 10 cups day-old challah bread, 1-inch-diced
• 12 oz (340 g) fresh raspberries
• 10 extra-large eggs
• 2 ¾ cups (650 mL) half-and-half
• 1 tbsp (15 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ⅓ cup (67 g) + 2 tbsps (30 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (70 g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp (2 g) grated orange zest, plus extra for serving
• ½ tsp (2 g) kosher salt
• Confectioners’ sugar, for serving
• Pure maple syrup, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Lavishly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring complete surface coverage for seamless release.
2. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, half-and-half, white and brown sugars, vanilla, orange zest, and sea salt into a silky, unified mixture that promises luxurious texture.
3. Layering Foundation: Artfully arrange half the challah cubes across the buttered dish, creating a plush bread foundation.
4. Fruit Infusion: Sprinkle raspberries generously over the initial bread layer, distributing vibrant bursts of flavor throughout.
5. Bread Stratification: Top the raspberries with remaining challah cubes, forming a lofty, textured surface.
6. Liquid Integration: Gently pour custard mixture over bread layers, delicately pressing to ensure complete absorption and flavor penetration.
7. Sugaring: Dust the surface with granulated sugar, creating a tantalizing crystalline finish.
8. Chilling Sequence: Refrigerate for one hour, allowing ingredients to meld and bread to soak up the luxurious custard.
9. Baking Ritual: Preheat oven to 350°F, then transfer chilled casserole directly from refrigerator to oven.
10. Culinary Transformation: Bake 60-70 minutes until golden and set, tenting with foil if browning occurs too quickly.
11. Finishing Touch: Rest for 10 minutes, then garnish with powdered sugar and fresh orange zest, serving alongside warm maple syrup.

Notes

• Precise Chilling Technique: Refrigerate exactly 60 minutes to allow bread maximum custard absorption, preventing soggy or dry texture.
• Strategic Baking Monitoring: Watch surface browning carefully, using aluminum foil to prevent over-caramelization and ensure even golden-brown coloration.
• Bread Selection Matters: Use day-old challah for optimal texture absorption and enhanced flavor complexity, avoiding fresh bread which can become mushy.
• Fruit Distribution Tip: Scatter raspberries evenly to guarantee consistent fruity bursts in every serving, preventing bland or overly concentrated fruit sections.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 450 mg