Description
Comforting Pumpkin French Toast Casserole brings autumn’s warmest flavors to your breakfast table, blending rich seasonal spices with creamy custard. Baked golden and fragrant, this make-ahead dish delivers cozy morning magic you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf bread (10–12 slices), cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pumpkin puree
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease layer to prevent sticking.
- Transform the bread loaf into uniform, bite-sized cubes, distributing them evenly across the prepared baking dish to create a solid foundation.
- Craft a luxurious custard base by vigorously whisking together eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vanilla extract, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous texture.
- Cascade the aromatic pumpkin mixture over the bread cubes, gently pressing downward to ensure complete liquid absorption and thorough coating of each bread piece.
- Allow the casserole to rest and develop flavors by refrigerating for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally overnight, which permits the bread to fully soak and intensify the dish’s richness.
- Transfer the chilled casserole to the preheated oven, baking for 40-45 minutes until the top turns a golden-brown hue and the interior sets into a custardy consistency.
- Present the casserole immediately while warm, embellishing with a cascading drizzle of pure maple syrup to enhance its decadent autumn-inspired profile.
Notes
- Choose a sturdy day-old bread like brioche or challah to prevent soggy texture and absorb the pumpkin mixture perfectly.
- Make it gluten-free by swapping regular bread with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or coconut bread for those with dietary restrictions.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a sprinkle of pecans or walnuts on top before baking for extra crunch and nutty depth.
- Assemble the casserole the night before, allowing flavors to meld and making morning breakfast effortless and delicious.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg