Maple Pecan French Toast Casserole Recipe
This Maple Pecan French Toast casserole is a deliciously decadent breakfast dish featuring rich brioche bread soaked in a spiced egg custard, layered over a gooey maple-pecan base. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and comforting flavors ideal for weekend brunch or holiday mornings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pecan Base
- 1 stick of Butter
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- ⅓ cup Maple Syrup
- ¼ cup Heavy Cream
- 1 ½ cups Chopped Pecans
- ½ tsp Salt
French Toast Mixture
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 3 Eggs
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Nutmeg
- Zest of one Orange (optional)
Assembly
- 6 slices Brioche Bread
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Pecan Base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add brown sugar, maple syrup, and ¼ cup heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans and salt until all pecans are well coated. Pour this syrupy pecan mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
- Prepare the French Toast Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest (if using) until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole: Dip each slice of brioche bread on both sides into the egg mixture, then layer the slices over the pecan base in the baking dish without overlapping. Allow the assembled casserole to rest for about 10 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard fully, ensuring a creamy interior.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set. Once baked, remove it from the oven, let cool slightly, then carefully flip each slice onto a serving plate so the pecan side is facing up, creating a crisp topping.
- Serve: Serve warm with additional maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, and whipped cream if desired for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- For best results, use day-old brioche bread which soaks up the custard better without becoming overly soggy.
- The orange zest is optional but adds a bright, fresh note to balance the sweetness.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- If you want more gooeyness, try adding an extra egg to the custard mixture.
