Make Ahead French Toast with Strawberry Sauce
Make your mornings extra special with this Make Ahead French Toast with Strawberry Sauce, a crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole perfect for busy days or leisurely brunches. Crafted with thick slices of French bread soaked in a rich custard blend of eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, and a hint of cinnamon and vanilla, this dish is luxuriously flavorful and incredibly easy to prepare. The magic happens overnight as the bread absorbs the custard, so all you have to do is bake it to golden perfection the next morning. Topped with a luscious homemade strawberry sauce, bursting with fresh berry flavor and a touch of citrus, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Whether you're hosting a holiday breakfast or meal-prepping for the week, this make-ahead French toast is the ultimate indulgence that will have everyone asking for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 6 large Eggs
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 cups Strawberries
- 0.5 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 0.25 cup Powdered sugar
Instructions
Slice the French bread into 1-inch thick slices and place them in a greased 9x13 baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring each piece is well-saturated. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the French toast dish from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Dot the top of the casserole with small pieces of butter. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
While the French toast is baking, prepare the strawberry sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the strawberries, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the strawberries release their juices, about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Slowly stir the slurry into the saucepan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
When the French toast is done, allow it to cool for about 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar for garnish if desired.
Serve warm with the homemade strawberry sauce drizzled on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3978 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 159.5 g | 204% | |
| Saturated Fat | 82.8 g | 414% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1477 mg | 492% | |
| Sodium | 4559 mg | 198% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 517.1 g | 188% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.5 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 291.7 g | ||
| Protein | 103.2 g | 206% | |
| Vitamin D | 11.5 mcg | 58% | |
| Calcium | 1074 mg | 83% | |
| Iron | 23.6 mg | 131% | |
| Potassium | 1980 mg | 42% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
