Paula Dean's Baked French Toast Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate breakfast comfort with Paula Deen's Baked French Toast Casserole, a decadent overnight dish perfect for leisurely mornings or special occasions. Featuring thick slices of French bread soaked in a rich custard made with eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, and vanilla, this recipe ensures a luxuriously soft and flavor-packed base. Topped with a buttery praline mixture of brown sugar, chopped pecans, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this casserole bakes to golden perfection in just 40 minutes. Its make-ahead preparation and irresistible aroma make it a crowd-pleasing choice for brunch gatherings or holiday feasts. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup for a breakfast experience that's both traditional and indulgent.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 loaf (approximately 13 to 16 ounces) French bread
• 8 large Eggs
• 2 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup Light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup (1 stick), softened Butter
• 1 cup Light brown sugar (for topping)
• 1 cup Chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons Light corn syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

Directions

Step 1

Slice the French bread loaf into 1-inch thick slices and arrange them in a generously greased 9x13-inch baking dish, overlapping as needed.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk thoroughly until smooth.

Step 3

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 8 hours) to allow the bread to soak up the custard.

Step 4

The next day, when ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 5

Prepare the praline topping by mixing the softened butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, chopped pecans, light corn syrup, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg in a medium bowl. Spread the topping evenly over the soaked bread in the casserole dish.

Step 6

Bake the casserole, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until it is puffed up and golden brown.

Step 7

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and, if desired, accompany with maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2212.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5942.8

Total Fat 273.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 105.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 1919.3mg	0%
Sodium 4033.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 751.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 517.7g
Protein 127.3g	0%

Vitamin D 551.8IU	0%
Calcium 1355.1mg	0%
Iron 29.1mg	0%
Potassium 2764.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.2%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 50.3%