French Toast Bread Pudding Recipe
This French Toast Bread Pudding recipe transforms classic French toast into a rich, custardy breakfast bake that’s perfect for cozy mornings or brunch gatherings. Featured on Everyday Excellent, this recipe combines thick slices of white bread, a maple-vanilla custard, and a touch of cinnamon to create a dessert-like breakfast that’s indulgent yet easy to make at home. Served warm and topped with powdered sugar and extra maple syrup, it’s comfort food at its finest.
The Inspiration
French toast and bread pudding share a common heritage: both are creative ways to use bread while maximizing flavor and texture. This recipe marries the two, creating a French Toast Bread Pudding that’s custardy on the inside, lightly golden on top, and infused with the warm aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, and maple syrup.
The inspiration for this dish comes from weekend brunch traditions where indulgent breakfasts are meant to be shared. Host Vanessa Gianfrancesco of Everyday Excellent highlights approachable recipes that elevate everyday ingredients, and this French toast bread pudding is a perfect example. Using simple pantry staples—bread, eggs, milk, and butter—this recipe produces a luxurious dish that feels gourmet, making it ideal for entertaining or treating yourself to a special morning meal.
Ingredients
- 10 thick slices white bread
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 3 cups (710 ml) 3.25% milk
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) maple syrup, plus extra for drizzling
- 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
- 2 tsp (10 ml) ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp (44 g) unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 tbsp room temperature unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar, for garnish
Methods
- Pre-heat oven to 350 F (191 C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Add slices of bread to the mixture and toss to combine. Let the bread soak up some liquid for 1 minute.
- Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with room temperature butter. Transfer all the bread mixture to the baking dish and press down on it. Transfer dish to the oven and bake for 25 minutes.
- Serve warm with an extra drizzle of maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Serving Suggestions
French Toast Bread Pudding is perfect for weekend breakfasts, holiday brunches, or cozy winter mornings. Pair it with freshly brewed coffee, hot chocolate, or a glass of fresh orange juice for a complete meal.
For a more indulgent experience, serve alongside fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a dollop of whipped cream. It can also be portioned into individual ramekins for a personalized presentation when entertaining guests. This dish works equally well as a dessert after a casual dinner, offering all the flavors of French toast in a comforting, baked format.
Final Thoughts
This French Toast Bread Pudding recipe transforms everyday ingredients into a luxurious, comforting breakfast or brunch centerpiece. Its combination of custardy interior, lightly golden exterior, and the warm sweetness of maple syrup and cinnamon makes it a dish that’s both visually stunning and irresistibly flavorful.
Featured on Everyday Excellent, Vanessa Gianfrancesco demonstrates that even simple pantry staples can create a dish worthy of special occasions. Whether you’re preparing it for a holiday brunch, a family breakfast, or simply to treat yourself, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and nostalgia.
The French Toast Bread Pudding is a must-try for anyone looking to elevate breakfast into a memorable experience, providing both indulgence and comfort in every bite.
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