Description
This Crockpot French Toast Casserole is a comforting and easy breakfast dish featuring brioche bread soaked in a rich mixture of eggs, milk, vanilla, and warm spices, slow-cooked to a custardy perfection. Perfect for weekend mornings or holiday brunches, it allows you to set it up in advance and come back to a delicious, hearty breakfast.
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
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Add the cubed brioche bread to the bottom of a greased 5-quart or larger slow cooker insert, spreading it evenly.
- Mix the Egg Mixture: In a mixing 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 over the bread cubes, pressing them down gently so they are submerged in the liquid. Cover the slow cooker insert and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the bread to soak up the custard evenly. For best results, you can also leave it covered overnight.
- Add Toppings: After soaking, sprinkle the light brown sugar evenly over the top of the soaked bread. Dot the surface with the cubes of unsalted butter for richness.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 2-4 hours, until the bread and egg mixture is fully cooked and set, resembling a baked custard in texture.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve immediately with toppings of your choice such as maple syrup, fresh fruit compote, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Day-old brioche bread works best as it soaks up the custard without becoming too soggy.
- You can prepare the casserole the night before by assembling it and refrigerating overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
- Adjust cooking time based on your slow cooker’s heat level to avoid overcooking.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and use a vegan butter alternative.
- Serve with fresh berries or nuts for added texture and flavor contrast.
