King Cake French Toast Bake with Mardi Gras Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A festive twist on French toast bake inspired by the iconic Mardi Gras king cake, featuring cinnamon-spiced brioche and a vibrant glaze in purple, green, and gold. This french-inspired mardi gras ready in about 65 minutes pairs loaf (about 16 oz), cubed brioche bread, large eggs, whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 French cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with 1 tbsp unsalted butter. Place 16 oz cubed brioche bread evenly in the dish.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cubed brioche in the baking dish, pressing down gently to soak the bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
  4. Step 4: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
  5. Step 5: While baking, prepare the Mardi Gras glaze by dividing 1 cup powdered sugar into three small bowls. Add 3 tbsp milk to each and mix until smooth. Tint each bowl with purple, green, and golden yellow food coloring respectively until vibrant.
  6. Step 6: Once the French toast bake cools for 10 minutes, drizzle the three colored glazes in stripes or swirls across the top, letting them slightly blend for a festive Mardi Gras look. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does King Cake French Toast Bake with Mardi Gras Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover King Cake French Toast Bake with Mardi Gras Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large eggs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in King Cake French Toast Bake with Mardi Gras Glaze?

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 King Cake French Toast Bake with Mardi Gras Glaze 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 King Cake French Toast Bake with Mardi Gras Glaze?

French mardi gras 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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