Description
Indulgent Paula Deen Baked French Toast offers a luxurious breakfast experience that melts in your mouth. Cinnamon-kissed bread soaked in rich custard creates a heavenly morning treat you’ll savor with pure breakfast bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Bread:
- 8 large eggs
- 1 (454 grams/1 pound) loaf French bread, cut diagonally in 1 inch slices
Dairy and Liquid:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) milk
- 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) half-and-half cream
- ¾ cup (170 grams) butter
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) vanilla extract
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 1 ⅓ cups (270 grams) brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon (1.2 grams) ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Meticulously grease a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) ceramic baking dish, carefully laying soft French bread slices across the entire bottom surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Whisk eggs, whole milk, half-and-half cream, pure vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients integrate smoothly and create a uniform custard mixture.
- Gently pour the prepared custard over bread slices, allowing liquid to saturate each slice thoroughly. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, enabling bread to absorb maximum moisture.
- Remove dish from refrigerator and allow to reach room temperature while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Create caramel topping by melting unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until mixture becomes glossy and bubbles form around edges.
- Drizzle the hot caramel topping evenly across the soaked bread, ensuring complete and uniform distribution.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and slight crispy edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh seasonal berries and serve warm with maple syrup or additional caramel sauce if desired.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old bread with sturdy texture like brioche or challah to prevent sogginess and maintain structure during baking.
- Custard Absorption Technique: Let bread slices soak thoroughly in egg mixture, ensuring each piece gets maximum flavor and creamy consistency.
- Caramel Base Preparation: Melt butter and brown sugar carefully to create a rich, glossy foundation that adds depth and sweetness to the French toast casserole.
- Temperature Control: Bake at consistent medium heat to allow even cooking and prevent burning while developing golden-brown exterior.
- Serving Recommendations: Garnish with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or maple syrup for an extra layer of deliciousness right before presenting to eager breakfast guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 200mg