San Francisco Sourdough French Toast Bake
A rich, custardy French toast bake using the iconic San Francisco sourdough bread, layered with cinnamon and vanilla for a perfect brunch centerpiece. 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 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (about 14 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes San Francisco sourdough bread
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- for dusting powdered sugar
- for serving maple syrup
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted.
- Step 2: Spread 14 oz cubed San Francisco sourdough bread evenly in the prepared dish.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk 6 large eggs with 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt until fully combined.
- Step 4: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to soak. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best texture.
- Step 5: Remove foil and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden and slightly crisp.
- Step 6: Let cool 10 minutes, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm with maple syrup.
Frequently asked questions
How long does San Francisco Sourdough French Toast Bake take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 San Francisco Sourdough 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 San Francisco Sourdough 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 San Francisco Sourdough 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 San Francisco Sourdough 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.
