French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Pears

French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Pears

Custard-soaked bread bakes into a tender casserole topped with buttery caramelized pears.

Total 8 hr 30 min Makes 8 servings Calories 440/serving

Dietary

Vegetarian, Nut free, Halal, Kosher

Allergens

Dairy, Eggs, Wheat

Day-old bread soaks overnight in a cinnamon-spiced custard, then bakes until puffed and golden while pears caramelize in brown butter and sugar. The make-ahead format suits weekend brunches or holiday mornings when you want a hands-off bake with a warm, fruity topping.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 firm ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup, plus more for serving

Method

  1. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.

  3. Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently so all the bread is submerged. Drizzle the melted butter over the top.

  4. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight to let the bread fully absorb the custard.

  5. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F (175°C).

  6. Melt the 4 tablespoons butter in a 9-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the pear slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes.

  7. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and cook until the pears are tender and glazed in a caramel sauce, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup.

  8. Spoon about two-thirds of the caramelized pears over the soaked bread, tucking them into the gaps.

  9. Bake uncovered until the top is golden brown and the center is set, 50 to 55 minutes.

  10. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes, then top with the remaining caramelized pears and a drizzle of maple syrup before serving.

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    French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Pears

    Day-old bread soaks overnight in a cinnamon-spiced custard, then bakes until puffed and golden while pears caramelize in brown butter and sugar. The make-ahead format suits weekend brunches or holiday mornings when you want a hands-off bake with a warm, fruity topping.

    8 hr 30 min 8 servings 440 cal

    Ingredients

    • 1 loaf day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 8 large eggs
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 firm ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
    • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup, plus more for serving

    Method

    1. 1

      Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom.

    2. 2

      In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.

    3. 3

      Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently so all the bread is submerged. Drizzle the melted butter over the top.

    4. 4

      Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight to let the bread fully absorb the custard.

    5. 5

      Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F (175°C).

    6. 6

      Melt the 4 tablespoons butter in a 9-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the pear slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes.

    7. 7

      Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and cook until the pears are tender and glazed in a caramel sauce, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup.

    8. 8

      Spoon about two-thirds of the caramelized pears over the soaked bread, tucking them into the gaps.

    9. 9

      Bake uncovered until the top is golden brown and the center is set, 50 to 55 minutes.

    10. 10

      Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes, then top with the remaining caramelized pears and a drizzle of maple syrup before serving.