Description
This easy and comforting Crockpot French Toast Casserole combines brioche bread soaked in a spiced egg and milk mixture, slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for a weekend brunch or holiday breakfast, this casserole offers a warm, custardy texture with a sweet brown sugar topping and buttery finish, ready to serve with syrup or fresh fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 16 ounces loaf sliced brioche bread, cut into 1-2” cubes (day old works best)
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 2¼ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Add the cubed brioche bread into the bottom of a greased 5-quart or larger slow cooker insert, ensuring even coverage.
- Mix soaking liquid: In a bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing the bread gently downward so it is fully submerged in the liquid. Cover the insert and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the bread to soak thoroughly. Alternatively, it can be soaked overnight for deeper flavor and texture.
- Add brown sugar and butter: After soaking, sprinkle the light brown sugar evenly over the surface of the bread, then dot with the cubes of unsalted butter.
- Cook in crockpot: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 2-4 hours. The casserole is done when the egg mixture has fully set and the bread is cooked through.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the French toast casserole immediately with maple syrup, fruit compote, or a dusting of powdered sugar as desired for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
Notes
- Using day-old brioche bread helps the bread absorb the custard mixture without becoming too mushy.
- Soaking the bread overnight enhances the flavor and texture, making it more custardy.
- If your slow cooker runs hot, keep an eye on the casserole to prevent overcooking.
- Feel free to add nuts or dried fruit to the custard mixture before cooking for extra texture and taste.
- This recipe can be prepped the night before for convenience.
