Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like starting your day with a comforting, soul-satisfying breakfast that feeds a crowd. This Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole recipe delivers just that: classic, rich flavors transformed into a delightfully simple, make-ahead dish. It’s perfect for holidays, brunches, or whenever you want breakfast to feel extra special with minimal fuss on the morning of.

Irresistible Flavor and Effortless Preparation

What makes this French toast casserole a standout? It’s the combination of a custardy interior, a subtly crisp top, and the warm aromas of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through your kitchen. Unlike traditional French toast that requires standing by the stove, this version is assembled the night before and baked in the morning—making it stress-free, crowd-pleasing, and absolutely delicious.

The Secret to Custardy Perfection

The magic lies in letting the bread soak up the spiced custard overnight. This gives every bite a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with just the right touch of sweetness. Challah or brioche works best, providing a rich base that pairs beautifully with maple syrup and fresh fruit toppings.

How to Assemble the Casserole

Simply layer thick slices of your favorite bread in a buttered baking dish. Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, then pour it evenly over the bread. Top with a buttery brown sugar crumble for enticing crunch. Cover and refrigerate overnight, letting the flavors and textures develop for the ultimate breakfast experience.

Serving Suggestions for the Best Baked French Toast

Once baked, cut your casserole into squares and serve warm. It’s sensational with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of pure maple syrup. For a little extra brightness, garnish with mixed berries or sliced bananas—perfect for brunch gatherings or celebratory mornings.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves approximately 8 guests. A serving contains about 350-400 calories, depending on your bread and toppings. It’s a true weekend treat, best enjoyed as a special breakfast centerpiece.

Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe (Recap)

Transform your morning routine with this easy, foolproof casserole: a fluffy, flavor-packed French toast that’s ready to bake when you wake up. Its make-ahead nature and irresistible taste make it the breakfast your guests will rave about.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly create a categorized shopping list—sorted by produce, dairy, and bakery—so meal planning and grocery trips for your week become totally hassle-free.

Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Arrange bread slices in overlapping rows to fill the dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until thoroughly combined.
3. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread slices, pressing gently to help bread absorb the custard. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons brown sugar and the cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter or fork, blend until crumbly. Sprinkle this topping over the casserole.
5. Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. The center should be set but still slightly custardy.
6. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and berries, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This French toast casserole is ideal for meal prep and efficient breakfast planning. Save and schedule this recipe to manage your breakfast menus and create intelligent shopping lists in seconds.

Planning Benefits:

• Seamlessly calculates total ingredients needed for your week’s recipes.
• Groups all items by grocery store section for each trip.
• Avoids buying extra or missing essentials—no more last-minute morning runs!
• Ensures you’re always prepared for a week’s worth of breakfasts, lunches, or brunches.

Pro tip: When prepping your weekly meals, schedule your dishes together to maximize ingredient usage. For instance, if you’re making this casserole and another egg-based recipe, CookifyAI will add up your eggs automatically, so you always know exactly how many to buy!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours (overnight)
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: About 9 hours (most of which is hands-off overnight chilling)