This Brioche French Toast Casserole recipe, inspired by the culinary wisdom of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, takes the classic breakfast dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of sweet, caramelized goodness, with a texture that’s both crisp and wonderfully soft. This baked French toast casserole is not just a breakfast; it’s an experience, perfect for family gatherings, holiday mornings, or simply treating yourself on a leisurely weekend. And the best part? It requires minimal prep time, making it a stress-free way to impress everyone at the table.
Why This Brioche French Toast Casserole is a Must-Try
While the original Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole is already a beloved recipe, this brioche version elevates it further. Brioche bread, known for its rich, buttery flavor and tender crumb, soaks up the custard beautifully, resulting in an even more decadent and flavorful casserole. Think of it as the luxurious upgrade to your regular French toast, maintaining all the comforting nostalgia while adding a touch of gourmet flair.
This recipe draws inspiration from Ree Drummond’s famous approach to hearty, crowd-pleasing dishes. Like her original French toast casserole, this brioche adaptation is incredibly easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy mornings or make-ahead brunches. It’s also incredibly versatile, perfect as a standalone breakfast star or paired with savory sides for a balanced brunch spread. If you’re a fan of Ree’s other breakfast creations like her sausage hash brown breakfast casserole, you’ll absolutely adore this sweet brioche twist.
Serving this brioche french toast casserole on special occasions, like Christmas morning, has become a cherished tradition in many families. Its comforting flavors and effortless preparation make it a winner every time. The combination of perfectly baked brioche, a luscious custard, and a crunchy pecan streusel topping is simply irresistible. It takes the familiar flavors of French toast and amplifies them, creating a breakfast experience that’s truly special. Even if you’ve never attempted a baked French toast before, this recipe is designed for success, guaranteeing a perfect outcome every single time.
Looking to complement the sweetness of this casserole? Consider pairing it with a savory breakfast casserole to create a balanced and satisfying meal. This brioche French toast casserole truly shines as a centerpiece, but is even better with a well-rounded breakfast spread.
A plate with a generous serving of brioche french toast casserole, accompanied by a golden spoon.
Brioche French Toast Casserole Ingredients: What You’ll Need
To create this delightful brioche french toast casserole, gather these simple yet high-quality ingredients:
- Brioche Bread: Opt for a loaf of brioche, approximately 14 inches long. Its richness is key to the recipe’s success.
- Eggs: You’ll need 6 large eggs to create the creamy custard base.
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup of heavy cream is essential for that signature custard-like texture that makes this casserole so indulgent.
- Milk: ¾ cup of milk, whole milk is recommended for extra richness, but any milk will work.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A combination of ¼ cup brown sugar and 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar adds depth and balanced sweetness.
- Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon of cinnamon provides that classic warm French toast spice.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract enhance the overall flavor profile, adding a touch of aromatic sweetness.
For the Pecan Streusel Topping:
- Pecans: 1 cup of pecans, chopped into varied sizes for texture and flavor.
- Butter: ¼ cup of unsalted butter, crucial for creating the crumbly, buttery streusel.
- Maple Syrup: ½ cup of pure maple syrup is recommended for the best flavor in the streusel topping.
These ingredients are readily available and come together to create a truly special breakfast casserole. If you enjoy sweet breakfast dishes, consider exploring other similar recipes like coffee cake or classic French toast – many of the core ingredients overlap, making it easy to expand your brunch repertoire.
A mixing bowl filled with the unmixed ingredients for the brioche french toast casserole batter.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Brioche French Toast Casserole
Follow these simple steps to bake your own Pioneer Woman-inspired brioche French toast casserole:
Step 1: Getting Started – Preheat and Prep
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish generously with butter. This prevents sticking and adds a subtle buttery flavor to the edges of the casserole.
Slice the brioche loaf into 1-inch thick slices. Set them aside, ready to soak up the delicious custard. Brioche’s slightly sturdier texture compared to regular French bread makes it perfect for soaking without becoming soggy.
Step 2: Whisking the Custard Base
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 6 large eggs, 1 cup of heavy cream, ¾ cup of milk, ¼ cup of brown sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy. This custard is the heart of the casserole, infusing the brioche with rich flavor and moisture.
Step 3: Soaking the Brioche Slices
Now, gently place the brioche slices into the custard mixture, one at a time. Let each slice soak for about 1 minute on each side, ensuring it’s fully saturated but not overly soggy. Brioche absorbs liquid quickly, so a minute per side is usually sufficient.
Transfer the soaked brioche slices to the prepared baking dish, arranging them in a slightly overlapping layer. Pour any remaining custard mixture evenly over the bread in the dish, ensuring every slice is coated.
Step 4: Crafting the Pecan Streusel Topping
Prepare the irresistible pecan streusel topping. In a saucepan set over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of butter with ½ cup of maple syrup. Stir until the butter is completely melted and incorporated into the syrup.
Once melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 cup of chopped pecans. Ensure the pecans are thoroughly coated in the buttery maple syrup mixture.
Step 5: Assembling and Baking
Evenly pour and spread the pecan streusel topping over the brioche slices in the baking dish. The streusel will create a delightful crunchy contrast to the soft, custardy bread underneath.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Removing the foil after 20 minutes, continue baking uncovered for another 20 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and set. The streusel topping should be nicely browned and crisp.
Once baked, let the brioche French toast casserole cool in the dish for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and makes slicing easier.
Serve warm, sliced into squares. For an extra touch, offer additional maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream alongside.
Storing and Reheating Your Brioche French Toast Casserole
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings, perfect for a family brunch or a gathering of friends. Leftovers are a rare occurrence with this delicious casserole, but if you do have any, proper storage will keep it fresh.
To store leftover brioche French toast casserole, you can either cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer the cooled casserole to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat your stored brioche French toast casserole and recapture its warm, deliciousness, the oven is the best method. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the casserole (or individual portions) in an oven-safe dish and reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and warmed to your liking.
For reheating single servings, the microwave is a quicker option. Microwave slices in 30-second intervals until heated through. Be mindful that microwaving may slightly soften the streusel topping compared to oven reheating.
Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Adore This Brioche French Toast Casserole
This Pioneer Woman-inspired Brioche French Toast Casserole is more than just a breakfast dish; it’s a heartwarming treat that brings joy to any occasion. Its delightful sweetness, comforting warmth, and addictive flavor make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
You don’t need a special occasion to whip up this baked French toast casserole. It’s perfect for lazy weekend mornings, a delightful surprise for your family on any day of the week, or a show-stopping centerpiece for holiday brunches. We’re confident your family will love this easy brioche French toast casserole recipe as much as we do!
If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear about your experience! Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. And if you’re eager to explore more Ree Drummond-inspired recipes, be sure to try her famous Pioneer Woman stuffing recipe for another taste of her culinary magic.
A plate of brioche french toast casserole with a hand pouring maple syrup over it.
Explore More Casserole Delights
If you appreciate the ease and convenience of casseroles, we have a wide array of easy casserole recipes on our blog for you to discover.
Here are a few of our top casserole recommendations:
For even more recipe inspiration, explore our YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram channels. We share new recipes daily across these platforms.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of brioche bread, about 14-inches long
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cut the brioche bread into 1-inch-thick slices and set aside.
- Whisk eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Add brioche slices into the milk mixture, soak for 1 minute per side, and transfer to a baking dish.
- Pour any remaining egg mixture over the brioche.
- Make the topping: melt butter with maple syrup in a saucepot. Stir in pecans and pour over the brioche slices.
- Bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove cover and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving and slicing. Serve with extra syrup if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 502, Total Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Unsaturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 51g, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g, Protein: 12g
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