Paula Deen French Toast Casserole Recipe
If you love a sweet and buttery breakfast, this Paula Deen French Toast Casserole Recipe is perfect. It is a decadent, overnight dish that makes every morning feel like a special holiday.
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf of French bread or Challah cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 pound 2 sticks butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
Prepare the Baking Dish
- Grease your 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Place the bread cubes inside the dish and spread them out evenly.
Mix the Egg Custard
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, cream, and sugars together. Add the vanilla extract and stir until the mixture is very smooth.
Soak the Bread
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes in the dish. Press down gently with a spoon so every piece of bread absorbs the liquid.
Chill Overnight
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the fridge. Let it soak for at least 8 hours or a full night.
Make the Praline Topping
- In a separate bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and pecans. Add the corn syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix until well blended.
Preheat the Oven
- When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge to take the chill off.
Add the Topping
- Spread the buttery praline mixture evenly over the top of the soaked bread. It will look thick, but it will melt into a delicious glaze.
Bake Until Golden
- Bake the casserole for 40 minutes without a cover. The top should be bubbly and the bread should be puffed and golden.
Let it Rest
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for five minutes. This helps the sauce thicken up before you start serving it.
Serve Warm
- Scoop large portions onto plates and serve immediately. You can add extra maple syrup or fresh berries if you like.
Notes
- Use day-old bread because it absorbs the custard better than fresh bread.
- Swap pecans for walnuts if you prefer a different nutty flavor.
- Add a cup of fresh blueberries before baking for a fruity twist.
- If you do not have corn syrup, you can use honey or maple syrup.
- Make sure the butter for the topping is soft but not melted.
- Use a mix of cinnamon and pumpkin spice for a fall flavor.