Spring Brunch Strawberry French Toast (Printable version)

Sweet strawberries and fluffy brioche layered with custard create a delightful spring brunch bake.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread & Fruit

01 - 1 loaf brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 14 oz)
02 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

→ Custard Mixture

03 - 6 large eggs
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds
12 - 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar or coarse sugar

# Directions:

01 - Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Arrange half of the bread cubes in the baking dish. Scatter half of the sliced strawberries over the bread. Repeat with remaining bread and strawberries, layering them evenly.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
04 - Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and strawberries, pressing gently to help the bread absorb the liquid.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for optimal results.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
07 - Uncover the baking dish. Drizzle the melted butter over the top, then sprinkle with sliced almonds and turbinado sugar.
08 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
09 - Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You can prep it the night before, which means you're actually relaxed when guests arrive instead of frantically cooking.
  • It feeds a crowd without making you feel like you've been in the kitchen forever, and somehow tastes like you've been planning it for weeks.
  • The strawberries stay bright and sweet rather than turning into sad little jam bits, which is the secret nobody tells you about breakfast casseroles.
02 -
  • Day-old bread is genuinely crucial—fresh bread will turn into mush no matter how careful you are, so if you only have fresh loaves, cube them and let them sit out on the counter for a few hours to dry out slightly.
  • The overnight chill is the secret; it transforms this from a wet, custardy mess into something with actual structure, and the flavor deepens in a way that's honestly worth the patience.
03 -
  • If your oven runs hot, tent the baking dish loosely with foil partway through baking so the top doesn't brown too quickly before the center sets.
  • Taste a tiny piece of strawberry before buying them at the market; a sweet, fragrant strawberry makes all the difference, and the ones at farmers markets are usually worth seeking out.
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