BAKED PRALINE FRENCH TOAST

Breakfast is often hailed as the most important meal of the day, and what better way to celebrate it than with a luxurious Baked Praline French Toast? This dish transforms the humble French toast into a gourmet experience, combining the richness of a custard-soaked bread with the indulgent sweetness of a praline topping. It’s perfect for special occasions, brunch gatherings, or any morning when you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something extraordinary.

French toast, with its origins traced back to ancient Rome, has evolved into a beloved breakfast staple worldwide. The traditional preparation involves soaking bread in a mixture of eggs and milk, then frying it to a golden brown perfection. This baked version takes it a step further by incorporating a caramelized praline layer, giving it a delightful crunch and a rich, buttery flavor. The combination of soft, custard-infused bread with a crispy, sweet topping creates a textural and flavor contrast that is simply irresistible.

One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead convenience. By preparing it the night before, you can simply pop it in the oven the next morning, making it an excellent choice for stress-free entertaining. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the detailed steps to create this delectable dish, along with variations and substitutions to cater to different tastes and dietary needs.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

8 large eggs

2 cups whole milk

½ cup heavy cream

½ cup granulated sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

8–10 slices day-old French bread or brioche

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare the Praline Topping:

Melt Butter and Mix Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the light brown sugar until fully dissolved. Add the chopped pecans and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the praline topping evenly across the bottom of the dish.

Assemble the French Toast:

3. Arrange Bread Slices: Lay the slices of day-old French bread or brioche in a single layer over the praline topping in the baking dish.

Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until thoroughly combined.

Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours to allow the bread to soak up the custard.

Bake the French Toast:

6. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while the oven heats up …