Spiced Pecan and Orange Glazed King Cake French Toast Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A celebratory French toast casserole infused with King Cake flavors, spiced pecans, and a bright orange glaze echoing Mardi Gras sweetness. This French-inspired Mardi Gras recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers King Cake bread, large eggs, whole milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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

1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes King Cake bread
6 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup, roughly chopped pecans
2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp fresh orange juice
1 tsp orange zest

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/3 cup brown sugar until smooth.
Step 2: Add 1 lb King Cake bread cubes to the custard mixture, gently folding to coat all pieces evenly. Let soak for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Transfer soaked bread to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 3/4 cup roughly chopped pecans evenly over the top and drizzle with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter.
Step 4: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden.
Step 5: While baking, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 3 tbsp fresh orange juice, and 1 tsp orange zest until smooth for the glaze.
Step 6: Remove the French toast bake from the oven and drizzle the orange glaze over the top while still warm. Serve immediately.