Baked French Toast Recipe

French bread: A loaf of this bread, sliced into 1-inch pieces, forms the base of the dish.

Eggs: These bind the ingredients together and create the custard.

Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the custard mixture.

Heavy cream: Enhances the custard's creamy texture.

Sugar: Sweetens the dish.

Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.

Ground cinnamon: Provides a hint of spice.

Salt: Balances the flavors.

To ensure your baked French toast has a rich and creamy texture, make sure to use day-old bread or slightly stale french bread. This will help the bread absorb the custard mixture more effectively, preventing it from becoming too soggy. Additionally, for an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of maple syrup to the egg mixture.

• french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, which adds a delightful flavor and texture to baked French toast.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and has a soft texture, making it an excellent alternative for soaking up the custard mixture.

• large eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. This is a good vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that works well in baked French toast, providing a slightly nutty flavor.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk is creamy and neutral in flavor, making it a great dairy-free substitute.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream adds richness and a subtle coconut flavor, suitable for a dairy-free option.

• heavy cream - Substitute with evaporated milk: Evaporated milk provides a similar richness without the high fat content of heavy cream.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of maple flavor, which complements the dish well.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that adds a floral note to the baked French toast.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but pleasant flavor profile that pairs well with the other ingredients.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract gives a rich, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other warm spices like nutmeg and cloves, adding depth to the flavor.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, slightly sweet flavor that can stand in for cinnamon.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a cleaner taste and can enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a coarser texture and a milder flavor, making it a good alternative.

• Allow the baked French toast to cool completely at room temperature. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.

• For short-term storage, transfer the French toast to an airtight container. You can also use a resealable plastic bag, ensuring you squeeze out as much air as possible. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• If you plan to store it for a longer period, consider freezing. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. This method helps in maintaining the texture and flavor.

• Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of its freshness. Frozen baked French toast can be stored for up to 2 months.

• When you're ready to enjoy your French toast, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps retain its moisture and flavor.

• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the French toast on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

• Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure it's heated evenly.

• For an extra touch, consider topping your reheated French toast with fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover baked French toast in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
  5. For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the baked French toast on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it heats evenly.
  4. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the baked French toast slices in the skillet.
  4. Cover with a lid and heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until warmed through.
  5. For a crispier texture, remove the lid during the last minute of reheating.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the baked French toast slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. For extra crispiness, increase the temperature to 375°F (190°C) for the last 2 minutes.

• Oven: Used to bake the French toast at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Baking dish: Greased to hold and arrange the sliced French bread.

• Mixing bowl: Used to whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the egg mixture to ensure a smooth custard.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the milk, heavy cream, and sugar accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt precisely.

• Knife: Used to slice the French bread into 1-inch pieces.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the French bread.

• Spatula: Helps to evenly spread the egg mixture over the bread slices.

• Refrigerator: Optional, used to let the bread soak overnight for a more intense flavor.

• Oven mitts: Protects your hands when removing the hot baking dish from the oven.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and mix the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt the night before.

Use pre-sliced bread: Save time by using pre-sliced french bread instead of slicing it yourself.

Overnight soaking: Let the bread soak in the egg mixture overnight for a more intense flavor and to save time in the morning.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the ingredients to save time.