The Best French Toast Casserole Recipe also happens to be an easy overnight dish that can be completely prepared ahead of time. This will become a favorite among your family and friends.
Use hand whisk to combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until fully incorporated. Mixture should be about 2 3/4 cup total. Set aside.
Put butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until well incorporated. Use rubber spatula to evenly press mixture into bottom of a greased 9×13 pan, spreading mixture evenly.
Lay a single layer of Texas Toast in pan (about 6 whole slices), cutting additional pieces to fill pan bottom, if needed. Very gradually and slowly brush 1 cup of egg mixture evenly over every slice of bread, taking care to saturate edges - do not hastily pour egg mixture or all of it will end up at the bottom.
Sprinkle evenly with most of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture, reserving about 2 tsp of the mixture for topping. Repeat with second layer, using another 6 slices or so of bread. Slowly brush remaining egg mixture over that layer, again paying special attention to the edges. Ensure all slices are well saturated. End with sprinkling of remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
Cover tightly and chill overnight in fridge, or at least long enough for custard to thoroughly soak bread.
Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Let casserole rest at room temp while oven preheats. Bake for 40-45 minutes, covered for the first 30 minutes, and uncovered after that.Be sure to scrape up all the bottom sticky goodness when serving. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Notes
If you don't have time to chill overnight, let the casserole soak for at least 35 minutes at room temp before baking.
For substitutions, variations, and serving suggestions, see original article.
French bread casserole is best served fresh. Leftovers can be wrapped airtight and kept at mild room temperature for a day, or chilled for several days. For best results, reheat in the oven.
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