Vanilla Maple Donut French Toast Casserole
A baked French toast casserole combining the comforting flavors of vanilla and maple syrup with a soft, donut-inspired texture. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 70 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 350 calories and feeds 8, 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
- 6 cups day-old brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing
- optional powdered sugar, for dusting
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tbsp unsalted butter.
- Step 2: Place 6 cups of 1-inch brioche bread cubes into the buttered dish, spreading evenly.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing lightly with a spatula to ensure all bread is soaked.
- Step 5: Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to absorb the custard.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm, enjoying the soft, vanilla-maple donut-like French toast.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vanilla Maple Donut French Toast Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 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 Vanilla Maple Donut French Toast Casserole?
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 Vanilla Maple Donut French Toast Casserole?
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 Vanilla Maple Donut French Toast Casserole 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 Vanilla Maple Donut French Toast Casserole?
American 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.
