Decadent Caramel Overnight French Toast Bake
Experience a delightful start to your day with this Decadent Caramel Overnight French Toast Bake. Inspired by a cherished recipe from Taste of Home, this dish transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary brunch centerpiece. Prepare it the night before, letting the bread soak in a luscious custard blend of eggs, milk, and vanilla, all while infusing every bite with a rich caramel topping. Bake this indulgent treat in the morning for a warm, sweet breakfast that will impress family and guests alike. You'll love the way the sweet caramel melds with the cinnamon-spiced bread, creating a comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Brown Sugar
1 cup (packed)
Butter or Margarine
1/2 cup (cubed)
Light Corn Syrup
2 tablespoons (none)
Bread
12 slices (thick-cut)
Sugar
1/4 cup (none)
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (divided)
Eggs
6 (beaten)
Milk
1 1/2 cups (none)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
2
Pour the hot caramel mixture into a greased 13 x 9 baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
3
Layer 6 slices of bread on top of the caramel layer, ensuring they cover the entire base.
4
In a small bowl, mix together sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, then sprinkle half of this mixture over the bread slices.
5
Place the remaining bread slices on top, followed by the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring an even distribution. Set aside.
6
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon until fully combined.
7
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered bread, ensuring each slice is coated. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
8
Prior to baking, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
9
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, bake the French toast casserole uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
10
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm and savor the delicious flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Caramel Overnight French Toast Bake?
It is a sweet breakfast casserole consisting of thick-cut bread soaked in an egg custard over a rich caramel base, prepared the night before.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How long should the French toast soak in the refrigerator?
The dish should be refrigerated for at least 8 hours or overnight.
What type of bread is best for this French toast bake?
The recipe recommends using 12 slices of thick-cut bread.
What ingredients are in the caramel mixture?
The caramel mixture consists of 1 cup of packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup of cubed butter or margarine, and 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup.
How do I prepare the caramel layer?
Combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat, stir until boiling, then pour into a greased baking dish.
What size baking dish is required?
A 13 x 9 inch baking dish should be used.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the 13 x 9 baking dish should be greased before pouring in the caramel mixture.
What are the custard ingredients?
The custard is made from 6 beaten eggs, 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How much cinnamon is used in total?
A total of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon is used, divided between the sugar topping and the egg mixture.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the French toast bake?
It takes approximately 30-35 minutes to bake until golden and puffed.
Should I cover the dish while it is in the oven?
No, the French toast casserole should be baked uncovered.
Should the dish be at room temperature before baking?
Yes, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before putting it in the oven.
How is the cinnamon-sugar mixture layered?
Half of the mixture is sprinkled over the first 6 slices of bread, and the rest is sprinkled over the remaining 6 slices.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either butter or margarine.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe calls for 6 eggs, which should be beaten.
Is there a specific preparation for the brown sugar?
Yes, the 1 cup of brown sugar should be packed.
How much milk is used?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of milk.
How many slices of bread are used in each layer?
There are two layers, each using 6 slices of bread.
What is the source of inspiration for this recipe?
This dish is inspired by a cherished recipe from Taste of Home.
How much vanilla extract is included?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Does the recipe include corn syrup?
Yes, it uses 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup in the caramel base.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
It is finished when it appears golden and puffed after 30-35 minutes of baking.
Should I serve the French toast immediately?
It is recommended to let it cool for a few minutes before serving it warm.
Is this a good recipe for guests?
Yes, it is described as an extraordinary brunch centerpiece perfect for impressing family and guests.
Can I prepare this on the same morning?
The recipe is designed for overnight preparation to allow the bread to soak, requiring at least 8 hours of refrigeration.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features cinnamon-spiced bread melded with a rich, sweet caramel topping and a luscious custard.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients in total.