Description
This Crockpot French Toast Casserole is a warm, comforting breakfast dish perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches. Cubed brioche bread is soaked in a rich mixture of eggs, milk, vanilla, and spices, then slow-cooked to create a creamy and custardy texture. Topped with brown sugar and butter, it bakes to golden perfection without the need for an oven, making it an easy, hands-off recipe that’s delicious served with maple syrup or fruit compote.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 16 ounces loaf sliced brioche bread, cut into 1-2” cubes (day old works best)
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 2¼ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Topping
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Grease a 5-quart or larger slow cooker insert and add the cubed brioche bread evenly across the bottom, ensuring the bread is spread out for even soaking.
- Mix the custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until fully combined.
- Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cubed bread in the slow cooker. Gently press the bread cubes down to fully submerge them in the liquid. Cover the slow cooker insert and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the bread to absorb the custard mixture; you can also soak it overnight for deeper flavor.
- Add topping: After soaking, sprinkle the light brown sugar evenly over the surface of the soaked bread. Dot the top with small cubes of unsalted butter distributed evenly to create a rich, caramelized topping.
- Cook the casserole: Place the slow cooker insert back into the slow cooker unit. Cover and cook on high heat for 1 to 2 hours, or on low heat for 2 to 4 hours, until the egg mixture is set and the bread is cooked through. The casserole should be golden and slightly firm.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the French toast casserole warm immediately. Complement it with maple syrup, fruit compote, or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Notes
- Day-old brioche bread works best as it soaks up the custard better without becoming overly mushy.
- Soaking the bread overnight enhances the flavor and texture; however, the recipe can be made with just 1 hour of soaking if short on time.
- Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker model, as temperatures may vary.
- For a richer dish, substitute some of the whole milk with heavy cream.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
