Paula Deen's Praline French Toast Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate breakfast comfort with Paula Deen's Praline French Toast Casserole, a decadent make-ahead dish perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunch. This rich and creamy casserole layers thick slices of French bread soaked overnight in a custard of eggs, half-and-half, and warm spices, ensuring every bite is irresistibly tender. Topped with a luscious praline mixture of melted butter, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, it bakes to golden perfection, filling your kitchen with cozy aromas. Designed to feed a crowd, this sweet, nutty masterpiece is finished in the oven in just 45 minutes, and pairs beautifully with a drizzle of maple syrup. Whether you're hosting or simply treating yourself, this praline-infused French toast casserole is guaranteed to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 loaf (about 13-16 ounces) French bread
• 8 large Eggs
• 2 cups Half-and-half
• 2 cups Milk
• 0.5 cups Sugar
• 0.5 cups Packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks), melted Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Packed light brown sugar (for topping)
• 1 cup Chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons Light corn syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon (for topping)
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

Directions

Step 1

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2

Slice the French bread into 1-inch thick slices and arrange them in the prepared baking dish in overlapping layers.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.

Step 4

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring all slices are saturated. Lightly press the bread down to help it absorb the liquid.

Step 5

Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Step 6

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 7

Prepare the praline topping by mixing the melted butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, chopped pecans, light corn syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl until well combined.

Step 8

Spread the praline topping evenly over the soaked bread slices.

Step 9

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and the custard has set.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Serve warm, optionally with a drizzle of maple syrup for added sweetness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2624.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6968.6

Total Fat 389.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 173.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 2193.3mg	0%
Sodium 4574.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 775.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.2g	0%
Total Sugars 538.4g
Protein 143.6g	0%

Vitamin D 542.7IU	0%
Calcium 1873.1mg	0%
Iron 29.0mg	0%
Potassium 3283.9mg	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: 48.8%

Protein: 8.0%

Carbs: 43.2%