Inspired by the queen of comfort food herself, Ree Drummond – The Pioneer Woman – this French toast bake casserole recipe is set to become your new breakfast obsession. I stumbled upon her version of this classic dish a while back, and it’s been a beloved staple in my kitchen ever since. Alongside my other favorite Pioneer Woman creation, the sausage hash brown breakfast casserole, this recipe is a guaranteed hit.
Honestly, this baked French toast casserole has become our go-to Christmas morning breakfast. My family absolutely adores it, and I have no doubt yours will too! It captures all the comforting, nostalgic flavors of traditional French toast but elevates them to a whole new level of deliciousness. The French bread transforms into a perfectly crisp yet soft texture in the oven, and the pecan streusel topping? It’s simply irresistible.
And the best part? This French toast bake is incredibly easy to make. With just 5-10 minutes of prep time, the oven takes over, doing all the hard work. Even if you’re a beginner baker, this recipe is foolproof and will deliver perfect results every time.
Looking for something to complement the sweetness of this casserole? Consider pairing it with a savory Christmas breakfast casserole for a balanced and delightful breakfast spread.
A serving of Pioneer Woman French Toast Bake on a white plate, accompanied by a golden spoon.
Image: Close-up of a slice of golden brown Pioneer Woman French Toast Bake, showcasing its caramelized top and soft interior.
Ingredients for Your Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole
To create this delightful cinnamon baked French toast casserole, gather these simple ingredients:
- Bread: A 14-inch loaf of French bread is ideal. Its sturdy texture holds up perfectly in the bake.
- Eggs: Six large eggs form the base of the rich custard.
- Heavy Cream: For that signature creamy, custard-like texture that makes this casserole so decadent.
- Milk: Whole milk adds richness, but any milk will work in a pinch.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A blend of both sugars creates a deeper, more nuanced sweetness.
- Cinnamon: The essential warm spice that defines classic French toast flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a touch of warmth and complexity.
For the irresistible pecan streusel topping, you’ll need:
- Pecans: Chopped pecans, in varying sizes, provide delightful texture and nutty flavor.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is recommended to control the overall saltiness.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and caramel-like depth to the topping.
If you enjoy these flavors, you might also want to explore our recipes for brioche French toast casserole and coffee cake, which share many of these delicious ingredients. They offer more sweet breakfast options for your culinary adventures!
A clear mixing bowl filled with the unmixed ingredients for the Pioneer Woman French Toast Bake batter, including eggs, milk, and spices.
Image: French toast batter ingredients in a mixing bowl before whisking, showcasing eggs, milk, and spices ready to be combined.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Pioneer Woman French Toast Bake
Follow these easy steps to create your own Pioneer Woman-inspired French toast casserole:
Step 1: Prepare the French Toast Batter
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or similar size) generously with butter to prevent sticking.
Slice the French bread into 1-inch thick pieces and set them aside. Crusty sourdough or French bread both work wonderfully for this baked French toast, offering a delightful texture.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well combined. This mixture forms the luscious custard that will soak into the bread.
Step 2: Soak the Bread Slices
Now for the classic French toast step: soaking the bread. Add all the bread slices to the prepared egg mixture. Allow them to soak for about 1 minute, ensuring each slice is well-coated. Then, transfer the soaked bread slices to the buttered baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.
Pour any remaining egg mixture evenly over the bread slices in the casserole dish, ensuring everything is nicely saturated.
An unbaked Pioneer Woman French Toast Bake in a baking dish, showing bread slices soaked in batter and ready for topping.
Image: Uncooked French toast casserole in a baking dish, featuring bread slices saturated with egg mixture before baking.
Step 3: Create the Pecan Streusel Topping
Before baking, prepare the irresistible pecan topping. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup. Once the butter is melted and combined with the syrup, add the chopped pecans to the pot. Stir to coat the pecans evenly in the buttery maple syrup mixture.
Spread the pecan topping evenly over the bread slices in the casserole dish. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 20 minutes, allowing the top to become golden brown and caramelized.
Finally, let your baked French toast casserole cool in the dish for about 10 minutes before serving and slicing. Serve it as is, or enhance it with a pat of butter, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of extra maple syrup for an even more indulgent experience.
Storing and Reheating Your French Toast Casserole
This Pioneer Woman French toast casserole recipe yields 8 generous servings, making it perfect for a large breakfast or brunch gathering, or for bringing to a potluck.
While it’s so delicious that leftovers are unlikely, if you do have any, you can easily store them. Cover the baking dish tightly with a lid or plastic wrap, or transfer the casserole to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will keep for 4-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
An uncooked French toast casserole topped with pecan streusel in a baking dish, ready for the oven.
Image: Homemade Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole, uncooked, showcasing the pecan streusel topping before baking.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat leftover French toast casserole, the oven is the best method to maintain its texture. Place the casserole back in a baking dish and warm it in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through to your liking.
For smaller portions or individual slices, the microwave offers a quicker reheating option. Microwave slices in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Final Thoughts on Pioneer Woman French Toast Bake
There’s truly nothing quite like this Pioneer Woman French toast casserole. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and comforting, with an addictively delicious flavor that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
This baked French toast casserole is so good, it doesn’t need a special occasion to be enjoyed. It’s a wonderful treat to make for your family any day of the week, especially on relaxed weekend mornings. I genuinely hope your family loves this easy French toast casserole recipe as much as mine does!
If you try this recipe, please share your experience in the comments below. And if you’re eager to explore more Ree Drummond-inspired recipes, you absolutely must try our adaptation of Pioneer Woman stuffing – another guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
A hand pouring maple syrup over a slice of Pioneer Woman French Toast Bake on a plate.
Image: Easy Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole recipe, featuring maple syrup being poured over a freshly baked slice.
Explore More Casserole Recipes
If you appreciate the convenience of casseroles, we have a wide variety of easy casserole recipes on our blog for you to discover and try!
Here are a few of our top recommendations:
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, about 14-inches long
- 6 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 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 bread slices into the milk mixture and let them soak for 1 minute before transferring them to a baking dish.
- Pour over any remaining egg mixture on the bread.
- Make the topping: in a saucepot, melt butter with maple syrup. Stir in pecans and pour the mixture over the bread slices.
- Bake the french toast, covered for 20 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Let the french toast rest for 10 minutes before serving and slicing. Serve the french toast with some more syrup on top.
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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