Description
Brioche French Toast Casserole with Cranberries is a make-ahead holiday favorite that’s easy and elegant. Soft, custard-soaked brioche is baked with bursts of tart cranberries and bright orange zest.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20–24 ounces loaf of brioche bread, cut into 1” cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 ¼ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- orange zest, from 1 orange
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1½ cups frozen cranberries
- Optional: ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or sliced almonds
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13-inch pan by greasing it. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, salt, and extracts until smooth.
- Arrange half of the bread in the pan. Spread 1/3 to 1/2 of cranberries evenly over the bread. Layer in the remaining bread and cranberries. Pour the custard mixture over the bread, ensuring every piece is moistened.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight for a deeper flavor and better soak.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. If using, sprinkle chopped nuts over the top of the bread mixture. Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until golden and the custard is just set in the center.
Notes
- Use French bread, sourdough bread, or cinnamon raisin bread as alternatives for brioche.
- For richer flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Orange extract enhances the flavor.
- Frozen cranberries can be substituted with fresh ones.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 505
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
Keywords: Brioche French Toast Casserole, Cranberries, Breakfast, Holiday Recipe