Gold Rum-Caramelized Banana French Toast Bake

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich and indulgent baked French toast casserole featuring gold rum-infused caramelized bananas for a luscious breakfast treat. This french-inspired breakfast ready in about 65 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 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 French cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place 8 cups sliced day-old brioche evenly in the dish.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup gold rum, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the brioche slices, pressing gently to ensure the bread soaks up the custard. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar melts and turns golden caramel color, about 3 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Add 3 sliced ripe bananas to the caramel and cook for 2-3 minutes until bananas are tender and coated in caramel.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the caramelized bananas and sauce evenly over the soaked bread in the baking dish.
  7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and custard is set. Remove from oven and dust with powdered sugar before serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Gold Rum-Caramelized Banana French Toast Bake take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (20 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 Gold Rum-Caramelized Banana 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 Gold Rum-Caramelized Banana 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 Gold Rum-Caramelized Banana French Toast Bake for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Gold Rum-Caramelized Banana French Toast Bake?

French breakfast 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.