Strawberry Basil French Toast Bake
A baked French toast casserole layered with fresh strawberries and fragrant basil, perfect for a special Mother's Day brunch. This french-inspired brunch ready in about 70 minutes pairs thick sliced brioche bread cubes, large eggs, whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 8 cups thick sliced brioche bread cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- optional powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place 8 cups of thick sliced brioche bread cubes evenly in the dish.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Step 3: Layer 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil evenly over the bread cubes. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and fruit, pressing gently to soak the bread.
- Step 4: Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to allow soaking.
- Step 5: Bake covered at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and the custard is set.
- Step 6: Let cool for 5 minutes, dust with powdered sugar if desired, and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Strawberry Basil French Toast Bake take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 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 Strawberry Basil 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 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 Strawberry Basil 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 Strawberry Basil 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 Strawberry Basil 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.
