Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte French Toast Bake
An indulgent baked French toast infused with warm cardamom-spiced chai flavors, perfect for a cozy and festive Mother’s Day brunch. This french-inspired brunch ready in about 60 minutes combines large eggs, whole milk, heavy cream into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups) day-old brioche bread
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 black tea bags
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- for dusting powdered sugar
- for serving maple syrup
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Brew a strong black tea by steeping 2 black tea bags in 1 cup hot water for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and let cool slightly.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cardamom, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, and the brewed tea.
- Step 3: Place 8 cups of 1-inch brioche cubes into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, pressing gently to soak. Drizzle 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter on top.
- Step 4: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden and custard is set.
- Step 5: Let cool for 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with maple syrup.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte French Toast Bake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.
How do I store leftover Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte French Toast Bake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte French Toast Bake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte French Toast Bake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cardamom-Spiced Chai Latte French Toast Bake?
French brunch like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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