Gourmet French Toast for a Crowd

Serving up breakfast for a house full of hungry people can feel like a real juggling act. Between timing everything just right and making sure everyone gets their food while it’s still hot, cooking morning meals for a crowd often means you’re stuck at the stove instead of enjoying time with your guests. That’s where this French toast for a crowd comes in handy – it’s the perfect solution for those busy weekend brunches or holiday morning gatherings. You can prep everything the night before, pop it in the oven when you wake up, and actually sit down to enjoy breakfast with everyone else.

What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

The secret to amazing French toast starts with picking the right bread, and day-old bread is actually better than fresh since it soaks up more of the custard mixture. While this recipe suggests several options, enriched breads like brioche or challah are particularly good choices because their buttery, tender texture creates an extra luxurious French toast. If you’re using a crusty bread like sourdough or French bread, make sure to slice it about 3/4 inch thick so it can hold up to the egg mixture without falling apart. Just remember that fresh bread will give you mushy results, so leave your bread out overnight or pop it in a low-temperature oven for a few minutes to dry it out slightly before using.

Options for Substitutions

This French toast recipe is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can swap if needed:

• Bread: While day-old bread is best (it soaks up the custard better), you can use fresh bread – just toast it lightly first. Any enriched bread works great, but regular sandwich bread will do in a pinch – just avoid very soft varieties.
• Whole milk and heavy cream: You can use all whole milk instead of the milk-cream combo, or substitute with half-and-half. For a dairy-free version, try full-fat coconut milk or oat milk, though the result won’t be quite as rich.
• Maple syrup: No maple syrup? Use honey or regular sugar instead. If using sugar, add an extra tablespoon to match the sweetness level.
• Spices: The cardamom and nutmeg are nice but not crucial – you can skip them and just use cinnamon. Or try pumpkin pie spice as an easy all-in-one substitute for all the spices.
• Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract works perfectly here, or try almond extract for a different flavor (use half the amount). In a pinch, you can skip it altogether.
• Butter: You can use coconut oil or any neutral cooking oil instead of butter for greasing and cooking.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making French toast for a crowd is using fresh bread, which can lead to a mushy texture – instead, leave your bread out overnight or slice it and dry it in a low-temperature oven for 15-20 minutes. Another common error is not whisking the egg mixture thoroughly enough, which can result in streaks of egg whites on your finished toast – take an extra minute to beat the eggs, milk, and spices until completely smooth. The temperature of your pan or griddle is crucial too – if it’s too hot, you’ll end up with burnt outsides and raw centers, so maintain a medium heat and look for a gentle sizzle when the bread hits the surface. For the most flavorful results, let the bread soak in the custard mixture for at least 2-3 minutes per side, and don’t skip the resting time after cooking – letting the French toast sit for 5 minutes helps the custard set properly.

What to Serve With French Toast?

French toast is all about those sweet breakfast vibes, so I love serving it with fresh berries or sliced bananas on top. A drizzle of warm maple syrup is pretty much mandatory, and a dollop of whipped cream makes everything feel extra special. For a complete breakfast spread, add some crispy bacon or breakfast sausage links on the side – the salty meat pairs perfectly with the sweet, custardy bread. If you’re serving a crowd, a bowl of fresh fruit salad and a pitcher of cold milk or hot coffee will round out the meal nicely.

Storage Instructions

Make Ahead: This French toast casserole is perfect for preparing the night before! Just assemble everything, cover with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge overnight. The bread will soak up all those wonderful flavors, making breakfast prep super easy the next morning.

Keep Fresh: Got leftovers? Lucky you! Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The French toast stays nice and tasty, perfect for quick breakfasts during the week.

Reheat: To warm up your leftover French toast, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. You can also use the microwave for 30-second intervals if you’re in a hurry. A quick tip: sprinkle a few drops of water before reheating to keep it from drying out.

Preparation Time	30-60 minutes
Cooking Time	40-50 minutes
Total Time	70-110 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2000-2200
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 120-130 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

• 1 large day-old loaf, such as brioche, challah, crusty sourdough, or french bread
• 6 whole eggs
• 1 cup whole milk (236 ml)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (118 ml)
• 2 tablespoons authentic maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 tablespoons butter, with extra for greasing the baking dish
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Bread

Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with butter and set it aside.

Slice the bread into thick slices, about 1/2-inch to 1-inch thick, then cut each slice in half to form two triangles.

If your bread is fresh, dry it out a bit by placing it in a preheated oven until slightly toasty; this will help it absorb the custard better.

Step 2: Make the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt until everything is well combined to form a smooth custard.

This mixture will infuse the bread with flavor and moisture.

Step 3: Dip and Arrange the Bread

Quickly dip each slice of bread into the custard to coat it, then place it in the prepared baking dish.

Arrange the saturated slices so that they are angled and overlap slightly, similar to roof shingles.

Be sure the dish is filled evenly for proper baking.

Step 4: Soak and Preheat

Pour any remaining custard over the arranged bread slices, ensuring each piece soaks up the liquid.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 5: Bake the French Toast

Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

During this time, create the cinnamon sugar topping by mixing 1 tablespoon of sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.

After 30 minutes, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, uncover the French toast, and carefully pour the melted butter over the top, spreading it as evenly as possible.

Step 6: Final Bake and Serve

Scatter the cinnamon sugar over the buttered bread.

Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the tips are golden brown and the bread looks puffed.

Allow the French toast to cool for about 5 minutes before cutting it into 8 squares.

Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit, syrup, or whipped cream.