Easygoing weekend breakfast: A French Toast "casserole"
For those weekend mornings when you have a little more time to bake something, this is one breakfast/brunch item that my whole family really likes. It's a twist on French toast - quick to throw together and you don't have to stand over the stove cooking each piece individually. It does require about 35 minutes in the oven, so make it on a day when you have the time to spare.Soft, sweet challah bread is torn into chunks (the kids can help with this part), tossed into a baking dish with a milk & egg mixture poured over on top. The result is moist French toast with a crispy, sugar-sparkled crust on top.
We had time today, so we made it this morning before Uncle Grady went off to work. The recipe makes 9 decent-sized pieces, but Uncle Grady and the kids had two pieces each, along with a bowl of berries!
This recipe also appears in our second cookbook "The Trader Joe's Companion: A Portable Cookbook ."
French Bake
One ~16 oz challah loaf (brioche loaf is also ok)
2 cups whole milk
4 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp Turbinado sugar for sprinkling on top
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Oil or butter a 9x13-inch glass baking pan (use an 8x8 pan if using a smaller loaf).
3) Tear the loaf into bite sized pieces and place in pan.
4) Whisk together the milk, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar. Pour mixture over the top of the bread.
5) Wait a few minutes to let the liquid soak into the bread, gently tossingbread around a little to soak evenly. Sprinkle the top with a littleTurbinado sugar.
6) Bake in oven for 35-40 minutes, uncovered. The Bake will puff up once done.
Servings: about 9 pieces (4-6 hungry people)
For a savory version, leave out the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, and instead add a drained can of Fire-roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and bake.
Posted by Deana Gunn at July 25, 2008 
Categories: Vegetarian and Vegan , Food Recipes
Tags: brunch casserole challah French Toast
Categories: Vegetarian and Vegan , Food Recipes
Tags: brunch casserole challah French Toast
I might try this with some dried fruit or cut-up bananas thrown in too. Sounds great and looks prettier/nicer than a piece of regular French toast.
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I made this today after a party the night before. It is definitely something I'll make again, but I'd add more cinnamon and probably some raisins into the mix. Yum!
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Well that sounds a bit tasty! I have to try that some day!
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I make something similar and find when I soak it overnight with the eggs/milk /vanilla/cinnamon etc it is super moist when baked the next morning.
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I'm planning on making this next saturday morning when I have house guest for the weekend, So Yummy.
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I made this for breakfast this morning. Delicious!! I added more vanilla and cinnamon (a tablespoon of each), and a bit more turbinado sugar to the top, and assembled it last night. I baked it this morning and it was great! This recipe is a keeper! Thanks for sharing it!
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