Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast
I feel like food is the central theme of my family’s holiday festivities. It’s less about the gifts and more about the “what’s for brunch”, “what are we having for dinner”, and “who’s making dessert”. This Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast is a perfect holiday morning breakfast or brunch, whether you do have a fancy brunch on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, or any other day of the year this French Toast bake is sure to please everyone at your table.
I’ve been going through a cinnamon raisin toast phase. I discovered a really great gluten-free Cinnamon Raisin Bread from Little Northern Bakery (it’s available at most grocery stores). It’s so good toasted with some butter and it’s even better as french toast, that’s where this recipe idea came from! I was thinking, French Toast is delicious and it’s healthier and easier than pancakes, but how can we make french toast without the flipping and that will feed a crowd?
This French Toast is baked until golden on top and served warm with sweet maple syrup. Every cube of toast is soft, buttery, and custardy inside, yet caramelized around the edges. Add fresh whipped cream and it’s beyond delicious!
If you’re not a fan of cinnamon raisin, you can use beautiful plain challah or brioche, you can even add frozen berries. I chose to chop the bread into cubes, but you can just thickly slice your bread, dip it in the egg mixture and layer it into your prepared pan. Any cinnamon raisin bread will work for this recipe, I made a cinnamon raisin babka, but you can buy a thick sliced cinnamon raisin bread from the grocery store or bakery!
More brunch recipes you need to try:
What you need for Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast:
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Brown sugar
Eggs
Milk (non-dairy milk works well!)
Cinnamon
Butter
Maple syrup for serving
How to make Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast:
This recipe couldn’t be easier! Slice your bread into thick slices or cube your bread into 2 inch cubes. Set your bread aside while you make your custard mixture.
The custard is a simple mix of eggs, milk, cinnamon, and brown sugar. The brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness but it also helps the french toast caramelize in the oven. Whisk the mixture well in a large bowl.
Add the cubed or sliced bread into the bowl and stir to ensure all the bread is well coated. Pour the eggy bread mixture into a buttered baking dish. Pour any remaining custard mixture over top.
Once the french toast has been assembled, transfer it to the oven and bake for 45 minutes. You can also put the unbaked french toast into the fridge overnight and then bake it in the morning.
Bake your french toast until it’s golden. Serve as is or dollop with whipped cream. Then add a bit of maple syrup. It is perfection. The french toast itself is eggy and custard-like, it’s the best!
Lastly, when you make this Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast, be sure to leave a comment on Instagram! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favourite!
Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast
Author: ElizabethServings: 6-8
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter, softened
5 cups cubed or thickly sliced cinnamon raisin bread
2 1/2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
8 eggs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
maple syrup and whipped cream, for serving
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9x13 pan with softened butter.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl to combine well.
3. Add the cubed bread to the egg mixture and stir to ensure every piece is well coated.
4. Pour the bread and egg mixture into the prepared baking dish.
5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45 minutes. If it starts to brown too quickly, cover with foil. Bake until golden brown and crisp around the top and edges.
6. Serve warm with whipped cream and maple syrup. Enjoy!
