Easy Baked French Toast Casserole

Ingredients:

  • For the French Toast:
    • 1 loaf (14 to 16 ounces) French bread, brioche, or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 8 large eggs
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • For the Streusel Topping:
    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
    • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preparation:
    • Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
    • Arrange the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  2. Make the Custard Mixture:
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
    • Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread is coated.
    • Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the custard.
    • Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
  3. Prepare the Streusel Topping:
    • In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
    • Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
    • Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.
    • Cover and refrigerate the streusel topping until ready to use.

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