Gingerbread French Toast Bake Recipe
This Gingerbread French Toast Bake is a deliciously festive breakfast dish featuring buttery brioche cubes soaked in a spiced custard infused with gingerbread flavors. Baked to golden perfection, this recipe offers a warm, comforting start to your day, perfect for holiday mornings or any time you crave a cozy treat with notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Bread
- 16 ounces brioche, cut into 2-inch cubes
Custard
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups half & half
Topping and Flavor
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon gingerbread spice mix
Other
- Olive oil or coconut spray (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or coconut spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the brioche cubes: Place the cubed brioche evenly in the prepared baking dish, ensuring the bread covers the bottom fully for even soaking.
- Make the custard mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, dark brown sugar, kosher salt, vanilla extract, and half & half until fully combined and smooth.
- Pour custard over bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the brioche cubes, gently pressing the bread down to absorb the liquid.
- Prepare the topping: In a small saucepan, melt the salted butter over low heat. Once melted, stir in the granulated sugar and gingerbread spice mix until well combined and slightly caramelized.
- Drizzle topping over bread: Evenly drizzle the spiced butter mixture over the soaked brioche to add rich flavor and a delicious crust once baked.
- Bake the French toast: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Cool and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the bake to set further and makes it easier to cut and plate.
Notes
- For an extra festive touch, serve with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Gingerbread spice mix usually contains cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice; adjust the quantity to taste if using a homemade blend.
- This bake can be prepared the night before; assemble it, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning.
- Substitute brioche with challah or any sturdy, rich bread if desired.
- Half & half can be substituted with whole milk or a dairy-free alternative, but this may change the creaminess.
