Brioche Custard French Toast Casserole
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Make this decadent custard French toast casserole with brioche, coconut milk, and nutmeg. Perfect for holiday brunch or family gatherings!
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I love to host ! My husband and I are always welcoming friends and family into our home, and nothing makes me happier than feeding the people I care about. This Brioche Custard French Toast Casserole is one of my go-to brunch recipes. It bakes up golden and slightly crunchy on top with a soft, pillowy custard center – every bite really does feel like a hug. Even the kids love it! I’ll top mine with a mixed berry compote when I’m having it solo, or serve it buffet-style with maple syrup, crispy bacon, and creamy avocado for a full spread. It’s an easy, make-ahead French toast casserole with custard powder and coconut milk that’s perfect for brunch, holidays, or feeding a crowd.
I love how the custard powder and coconut milk give this French toast casserole such a rich, tropical flavor . It’s one of those dishes that makes guests pause and ask, “Hmm…what’s in here?”The balance of sweet and savory is spot on — rich enough to feel special, but not cloyingly sweet. And the best part? This French toast casserole easily doubles as dessert. Add a scoop of ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream and it turns into an extra-indulgent treat that everyone will love.
Tiffany’s Tip
When baking, check for doneness by gently shaking the dish or inserting a knife in the center — it should come out mostly clean, with no wet custard pooling underneath. If the center still looks liquidy, give it a few more minutes.
To avoid burning the bottom , place the casserole on the upper rack of your oven rather than directly over the heating element. This helps the top brown beautifully while keeping the base from overcooking.
And while I love using Bird’s Original Custard Powder for that classic flavor, any custard powder brand you like will work perfectly in this recipe.
Substitutions & Variations
Breads: Brioche and challah give a rich, soft texture, but French bread , sourdough, croissants, cinnamon-raisin, or even gluten-free bread all work. Just make sure very crusty breads soak longer.
Milk & Cream: No evaporated or coconut milk? Use whole milk, half-and-half, or a mix of milk and cream. For dairy-free, use almond, oat, or soy milk and swap butter for plant margarine or coconut oil.
Sweeteners: Brown sugar adds depth, but white sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey all work. (If using a lot of liquid sweetener, reduce the coconut milk a little. )
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate: Let the casserole cool to room temp within 2 hours. Cover tightly or put portions in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 5 days . (Keep syrups or toppings separate so leftovers don’t get soggy. )
Freeze: Freeze without toppings. Wrap the whole casserole or individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 3 months . Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: • Microwave: Heat single servings on high for 1–2 minutes until warm and soft.• Oven: Warm larger portions at 350°F for about 10 minutes to bring back a bit of crispness.• Extra Crispness: After microwaving, pop under the broiler 1–2 minutes to re-crisp the top.
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Brioche Custard French Toast Casserole
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yeild: 6-8
Description
This Custard French Toast Casserole brings together soft brioche or challah bread with a creamy custard of coconut milk, evaporated milk, brown sugar, and warm spices.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 5 large eggs
- 1 can (12 fl oz) evaporated milk
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons custard powder (such as Bird’s)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon fresh-grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing the dish + topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Dish
- 1Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish (or similar ~3-quart casserole dish) to prevent sticking and add flavor.
Step 2: Arrange the Bread
- 1Place the bread cubes into the greased dish.
Step 3: Make the Custard
- 1Using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, evaporated milk, coconut milk, custard powder, brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and well combined. Tip: Ensure the custard powder has fully dissolved with no lumps.
Step 4: Combine Bread and Custard
- 1Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the dish. Use a spatula to gently press the bread, making sure every piece is coated in custard.
Step 5: Soak (Quick or Overnight)
- 1Let the casserole sit for at least 10-15 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard. For an even moister result, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight.
Step 6: Add Additional Cinnamon and Butter on Top
- 1Before baking, sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon evenly over the casserole. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it across the top. As it bakes, the butter and cinnamon will help the French toast casserole develop a lightly crisp, golden-brown crust with extra flavor.
Step 7: Bake
- 1Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes, or until puffed, golden-brown, and the custard is set. You’ll know it’s done when the center is no longer liquidy – a little soft, custard-like jiggle is fine, but it shouldn’t be sloshy. (If you give the dish a gentle shake, the middle should appear firm.) Note: If the top is browning too quickly toward the end, you can loosely tent it with foil.
Step 8: Serve
- 1Let the casserole cool for about 5–10 minutes after baking (it will deflate slightly as it settles – that’s normal!). Then cut into squares or spoon onto plates. Serve warm.
Category: Breakfast
Keywords:
french toast, french toast casserole, breakfast ideas, brunch ideas
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