Eggnog French Toast Bake

One-inch squares of Brioche bread are the perfect vessel to soak up the eggnog for a sweet, holiday inspired base to the dish. Brown sugar adds a molasses flavor while cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice round out the warm flavors for even more deliciousness.

Traditional French Toast is made by dredging toast in eggs, then milk or cream that is often mixed with cinnamon, and pan-fried until golden and crisp. We love this take on French Toast because of its more hands-off approach. Baked in the oven, our version of French Toast in a casserole dish allows you to make a larger portion for meal planning or for feeding a crowd. It's generously dried with maple syrup, and can be dusted with powdered sugar and served alongside fruit.

This was inspired by my Gluten Free Buttermilk Waffles and Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes, and pairs well with our Caramel Mocha Coffee or our Hot Chocolate Crock Pot Recipe. We always love a sweet, comforting breakfast recipe, and we were looking for an easy hands-off way to make one of our favorites — French Toast!

• Easy: All you need is 5 minutes to prep the dish, and just make sure you prepare it the day before serving so it can set up overnight in the fridge.
• Festive: The introduction of eggnog brings this dish to a whole new level, making it perfect for the holiday season.
• Comforting: Warm french toast drizzled with pure maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar is the ultimate comfort food for a holiday breakfast or to make a weekend brunch even more special.

This recipe comes together with mostly pantry staples, but you may need a quick trip to the grocery store or your local bakery for a fresh loaf of Brioche. Brown sugar, eggs and maple syrup add sweetness and binding while cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and prepared eggnog bring in a variety of warm, festive flavors.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

• Brown Sugar (Light or Dark): Light brown sugar has a less molasses based flavor, but use whichever you prefer.
• Unsalted Butter: Control your salt content while adding lush texture to your bread.
• Brioche Bread: Soft and buttery, this is the perfect bread for soaking up all the liquids in the dish.
• Eggnog: Keep it festive by swapping milk with eggnog.
• Eggs: A binding ingredient for you custard mix.
• Maple Syrup: An extra hint of sweetness for added deliciousness.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Adding vanilla extract enhances all the natural flavors.
• Ground Nutmeg: Gives a warm nutty flavor, with a slight sweetness.
• Sea Salt: A more subtle salt that elevates are the other flavors in your dish.
• Ground Cinnamon: A spice that offers a warm flavor.
• Ground Allspice: Another warming spice that offers a subtle peppery vibe.

For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a 9x13 baking dish, medium saucepan, large mixing bowl, measuring cups, measuring spoons, whisk, and tinfoil.

Love this recipe but want to make it your own? Here are some helpful ideas for you to change this Eggnog French Toast Bake:

• Milk: If it's unavailable, not in season, or not your personal preference, easily substitute eggnog with whole milk for the original version of a french toast bake.
• Dairy-Free Eggnog: Look for an almond, oat or coconut milk eggnog to make this dish dairy-free.
• Bread: Substitute brioche bread with challah, gluten-free bread, or croissants.
• Maple: Pure maple syrup can be used instead of or in combination with sugar.
• Fruit: Add a handful of your favorite fruit throughout this french toast bake for a sweet boost of flavor. We recommend blueberries, sliced apples, or even cranberries for a seasonal twist.

With a little bit of planning ahead, it is easier than you would think to whip this dish up. Make your custard mixture, melt butter and brown sugar then pour both mixes over cubed Brioche. Allow the mixture to set up in the fridge overnight and get ready to bake in the morning.

Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.

Melt brown sugar and butter over low heat. Pour half of the mixture into baking dish and reserve the rest.

Place bread cubes in the dish, then pour remaining sugar mixture over top.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggnog, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, ground nutmeg, sea salt, ground cinnamon and all-spice.

Pour all over bread and lightly press down with a spatula to ensure all the bread is wet.

Cover with tinfoil and place in the fridge for at least 8 hours.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325F.

Leaving the foil on, bake 45 minutes, then remove the foil. With the dish still in the oven, increase the temperature to 375F bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden.

Hint: Since this is a make-ahead dish, be sure to take the casserole dish out of the fridge before preheating the oven. While your oven heats up the casserole dish will come to room temperature, making for more even baking.

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While this is an amazingly delicious dish, you may manage to have leftovers. It keeps well in the fridge.

• Refrigerator: Once cooled, place in an airtight container and store for 3 to 4 days.
• Freezer: We don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the egg custard will not hold up well.
• Reheating: Bring to room temperature and reheat in the microwave, or bake in the oven on low heat to warm back up.

• Fruit: We recommend serving with a side of tart berries to contrast with the sweetness of the Eggnog French Toast.
• Whipped Cream: The addition of a dollop of whipped cream is a fun and delicious touch.
• Bacon: A side of crisp, salty bacon is perfect to round out the sweetness.
• Coffee/Tea/Hot Chocolate: Whatever hot beverage you prefer, but we recommend trying it with our Caramel Mocha Coffee or a delicious cup of our Hot Chocolate Crock Pot Recipe.

Consider splitting the mix into two smaller casserole dishes, one for you to enjoy with family and friends and one to send home with guests.

Do you have questions about Eggnog French Toast Bake? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions.

Yes! This dish gets assembled the night before serving. The overnight setting time allows the bread to fully soak in the delicious custard mixture, enhancing its flavor.

Brioche is our go-to bread for its soft, buttery texture, but you can certainly use a different type like French bread, challah bread, and even croissants.

The top will be a golden brown color, and the edges will be set. If it still seems jiggly in the centre before you remove it from the oven, you can extend the bake time for a few minutes.

Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!

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