This easy Caramel French Toast Bake is made with sourdough bread and topped with the most divine berry sauce topping. It can be made the night before and baked the next day, making it perfect for Christmas morning!
This French toast bake is one to add to your holiday traditions!
As a Yankee Candle brand ambassador I get to try out their new collections and then create around them. Their latest launch, Magical Christmas Morning, is absolutely fueling my holiday inspiration this year. This Caramel French Toast Bake with Berry Sauce Topping was actually born from my favorite of the collection, the bright and delicious Happy Morning candle!
This French toast bake is made with sourdough bread that is soaked overnight in a caramel infused egg mixture, baked the next morning, and then topped with the most delicious berry sauce before serving. The caramel French toast bake is delicious on it's own, but the berry sauce topping is what makes it holiday tradition worthy. The mixture of warm cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries with a touch of spice cannot be beat.
Put it together the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning. It doesn't get easier than that!
Let's make it!
How do I avoid a soggy French toast bake?
The first time I made a French toast casserole this was my greatest fear. I can't stand soggy food, especially French toast, so it was even more important to me to create a foolproof recipe!
Below are a few things to keep in mind to avoid a soggy French toast bake:
- Make sure you are soaking the bread long enough, preferably overnight so that it soaks up all of the liquid.
- Bake time becomes very important when making a French toast bake and it is all about preference. If you like a softer French toast, bake for 45 minutes. For a firmer, crisper French toast bake for up to 60 minutes.
What kind of bread makes the best French toast?
Brioche tends to be the most common bread used for French toast, but any type of crusty or slightly dry bread will work. My favorite is and will always be a crusty sourdough!
Caramel French Toast Bake Ingredients:
To make this easy French Toast casserole, you will need the following ingredients. See the full recipe card below for detailed amounts and instructions!
- Sourdough bread - Or choose your favorite kind. Fresh and crusty is preferred.
- Eggs - You will need 8!
- Whole milk & heavy cream - Just right to soak that bread
- Sugar - Both granulated and brown sugar
- Caramel sauce - You can make your own or use store bought
- Flour - Our trusty all purpose flour for this recipe
- Vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, & clove - All of the best to get that holiday flavor!
- Butter - Cold and cubed
- Cornstarch - To thicken our berry sauce
- Berries - I use cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries!
How to Make This French Toast Bake:
To make this French Toast casserole, simply:
- Prep the French toast - Tear bread into 1-2 inch chunks and place evenly in a greased 9x13 baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, caramel, and vanilla extract. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill, preferably overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- Prep the topping - In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add in cold cubed butter and cut in with a pastry cutter (or two forks) until mixture looks like fine pebbles. Store in air tight bag or container and chill along with the French toast.
- When ready to bake - Preheat oven to 350°. Sprinkle the prepared topping over the prepared french toast and bake for 50-60 minutes.
- Make the berry sauce topping - Toss berries, sugar, and cornstarch in a large microwave safe bowl until evenly coated. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave on high for another 2 minutes.
- Serve - Let French toast bake cool for about 5-10 minutes. Place pieces onto serving plates and top each with berry sauce.
NOTES:
Bake time: If you like a softer French toast bake for 45 minutes. For a firmer, crisper French toast bake for up to 60 minutes.
Berry sauce: To make ahead, simply cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat when ready to use.
To store: Keep tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container in fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze: Can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Variations:
Add nuts - You can easily add nuts to either the French toast or berry topping. Pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts would be delicious!
Cranberry sauce topping - Instead of the mixed berry with cranberries topping, you could just do a cranberry sauce topping!
Change up the bread - I love using sourdough for this recipe, but you can choose your favorite kind of French toast bread.
More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love!
- Easy Spiced Snickerdoodles
- Peppermint Dark Chocolate Cookies
- Cinnamon Banana Bread
- Gingerbread Cake
- White Chocolate Fudge
Caramel French Toast Bake with Berry Sauce Topping
This easy Caramel French Toast Bake is made with sourdough bread and topped with the a divine berry sauce topping. Perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
- FRENCH TOAST:
- 1 loaf sourdough bread, fresh & crusty preferred
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup caramel sauce
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- TOPPING:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed
- BERRY SAUCE:
- 2 cup blueberries
- 1 ½ cup blackberries
- 1 ½ cup raspberries
- 1 cup cranberries
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon clove
Instructions
- Prep the French toast - Tear bread into 1-2 inch chunks and place evenly in a greased 9x13 baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, caramel, and vanilla extract. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill, preferably overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- Prep the topping - In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add in cold cubed butter and cut in with a pastry cutter (or two forks) until mixture looks like fine pebbles. Store in air tight bag or container and chill along with the French toast.
- When ready to bake - Preheat oven to 350°. Sprinkle the prepared topping over the prepared french toast and bake for 50-60 minutes.
- Make the berry sauce topping - Toss berries, sugar, and cornstarch in a large microwave safe bowl until evenly coated. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave on high for another 2 minutes.
- Serve - Let French toast bake cool for about 5-10 minutes. Place pieces onto serving plates and top each with berry sauce.
Notes
Bake time: If you like a softer French toast bake for 45 minutes. For a firmer, crisper French toast bake for up to 60 minutes.
Berry sauce: To make ahead, simply cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat when ready to use.
To store: Keep tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container in fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze: Can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
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Did you make this recipe?
I can’t wait to hear what you think of this French Toast Bake! When you make it, be sure to leave an amazing review in the comments below or tag #goingforgrace on social!
