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Barefoot Contessa baked French toast casserole with cinnamon crumble topping and fresh berries
Vicky Sharma

Best Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole (Easy Recipe)

This Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole is a rich, make-ahead breakfast made with soft brioche soaked in a creamy custard and topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble. Perfect for brunch or holidays, it bakes up golden, fluffy, and full of comforting flavor with minimal morning effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 8 hours
Total Time 9 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole:
  • 1 loaf brioche or challah bread 14–16 oz, cut into cubes
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
For the Crumb Topping:
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter cubed

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Pastry cutter (optional)

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Dish
  1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Add the bread cubes evenly.
    bread cubes in a baking dish for French toast casserole
Step 2: Make the Custard
  1. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, both sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
Step 3: Assemble
  1. Pour the custard evenly over the bread. Press gently so all the bread absorbs the liquid.
Step 4: Chill
  1. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
Step 5: Make Topping
  1. Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Keep chilled.
    making crumb topping for casserole
Step 6: Bake
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the casserole sit at room temp for 20 minutes. Add topping and bake 45–55 minutes until golden and set.
    baked French toast casserole golden top

Video

Notes

  • Use slightly stale brioche or challah for the best texture
  • Do not skip chilling, as it improves flavor and structure
  • If top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil
  • Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe consumption