Overnight Brioche French Toast with streusel topping may be served for brunch or dessert! Easy to make, and bakes up similar to bread pudding.
Ingredients
French Toast
1lbloaf of Brioche or Challah
8large eggs
2cupshalf and half
1/2cupmilk, any type
1/3cupgranulated sugar
1/3cupbrown sugar
1teaspooncinnamon
1tablespoonvanilla extract
2 cupsfresh blueberries, washed, divided
Topping
1/2cupbutter
1/2cupall-purpose flour
3/4cupfirmly packed brown sugar
1teaspooncinnamon
optional ½ cup chopped nuts, pecans, walnuts, almonds, chopped
dash coarse salt
Instructions
Please read recipe notes before starting recipe for best results and tips!
Spray or coat a 9"x13" or other comparable casserole dish with cooking oil or butter.
Tear or cut bread into large pieces, place into prepared pan. The pieces will be squished together; it is ok to layer the pieces a bit.
Using a whisk or blender, Mix eggs, half and half, milk, sugars, cinnamon and vanilla until combined.
Pour mixture over bread in casserole dish. Push the pieces down if they begin to float.
Cover with Saran Wrap or foil and place overnight in the refrigerator.
Mix the streusel topping, place in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to bake.
When ready to bake, remove foil and preheat the oven to 350 degrees with the rack in center of the oven. Sprinkle one cup of blueberries on top of bread. Top with streusel, and bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes. The egg should be cooked, and not runny or wet looking.
Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar and top with additional cup of blueberries (or other fresh fruit), syrup, or serve plain.
Notes
This recipe works well with stale bread but also works with fresh!
Remove the casserole from refrigerator 30-60 minutes before baking for best results. Let sit on counter, uncovered while preheating oven. Remember to top with streusel before baking.
Although this is an "overnight" recipe, it can be made and baked immediately. Follow the recipe directions and top with streusel. Turn the oven on when the assembly is complete and let the casserole sit for 30 minutes on the countertop. Occasionally push down the bread using a spatula to ensure the bread is soaking up all of the egg mixture. I have found if I don't use the overnight method, the casserole tends to take a little longer to bake.
We like our baked French Toast with fresh fruit, powdered sugar and a tiny bit of pure maple syrup or homemade syrup listed in post.