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This overnight French toast recipe is a wonderful way to prepare a rich and comforting breakfast with minimal morning effort. Its creamy custard base soaked into soft brioche bread creates a perfect balance of texture and flavor that is ideal for weekends or special occasions.
I discovered this recipe on a chilly Sunday morning and found it instantly comforting. Now it’s my go to when I want a nostress but impressive breakfast for family and friends.
Ingredients
- Brioche: choose fresh with a tender crumb to soak up the custard perfectly
- Large eggs: provide richness and help the custard set evenly
- Milk: adds light creaminess (whole milk is best for depth of flavor)
- Heavy cream: boosts the custard’s silky texture
- Sugar: balances the savory custard component adjust to your sweetness preference
- Vanilla extract: infuses the custard with warm aromatic notes a quality brand makes a difference
- Ground cinnamon: offers subtle spice that complements the sweet custard
- Salt: enhances all the other flavors so do not skip
- Butter: for greasing the baking dish preventing sticking and adding a slight buttery crust
- Maple syrup: essential for serving bring a good grade for a rich finish
Instructions
- Savour the Preparation:
- Start by generously buttering a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. This will help prevent the brioche from sticking and add flavor to the edges.
- Arrange the Brioche:
- Lay the sliced brioche evenly in the dish creating a snug layer. The slices should overlap slightly to ensure all the custard is absorbed uniformly.
- Whisk the Custard Mix:
- In a large bowl combine the eggs milk heavy cream sugar vanilla extract cinnamon and salt. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
- Soak the Bread:
- Pour this custard over the arranged brioche slices pressing gently so every piece is soaked. The bread will absorb the custard overnight giving it a creamy texture.
- Chill Overnight:
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. This slow absorption is key to a tender custardy French toast.
- Bake to Perfection:
- The next morning preheat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden and the custard is set but still slightly soft in the center.
- Serve Warm:
- Remove from oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Serve with a generous drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet indulgent start to the day.
This recipe centers around brioche for its ability to soak custard without falling apart. I remember serving this during a family brunch in the Loire Valley and watching everyone savor the warm spiced custard it turned an ordinary morning into a lasting memory.
Storage Tips
Leftovers keep beautifully in the refrigerator for two to three days. Reheat gently in a low oven or toaster oven to maintain the crisp top and creamy inside. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy.
Ingredient Substitutions
If brioche is unavailable a sturdy white bread such as pain de mie or challah works well but expect a slightly different texture. Coconut milk or oat milk can replace dairy milk for a subtle twist.
Serving Suggestions
Top your French toast with fresh berries sliced bananas or a dollop of crème fraîche. A sprinkle of toasted nuts adds a delightful crunch to contrast the custardy base.
This timeless French toast brings warmth and ease to any breakfast table. Its simplicity combined with comfort makes it a true favorite worth keeping in your recipe collection.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Comment préparer le mélange pour le pain perdu overnight ?
Il suffit de fouetter ensemble œufs, lait, crème, sucre, extrait de vanille, cannelle et une pincée de sel jusqu'à obtenir un liquide homogène.
- → Quel type de pain est recommandé ?
La brioche tranchée apporte une texture légère et une saveur douce parfaite pour cette préparation.
- → Peut-on préparer ce plat à l'avance ?
Oui, l'un des atouts est de laisser les tranches imbibées au réfrigérateur toute la nuit avant la cuisson.
- → Comment savoir que le plat est cuit ?
Le dessus doit être doré et la préparation bien prise, ni liquide ni trop sèche.
- → Par quoi remplacer la crème épaisse ?
Une crème liquide entière peut être utilisée pour une texture proche.
- → Quels accompagnements suggérer ?
Le sirop d'érable est un classique, mais des fruits frais ou une compote légère conviennent aussi très bien.