Brioche French Toast Casserole

This brioche French toast casserole takes breakfast to the next level. Buttery brioche bread is soaked in a sweet custard, then baked with a cinnamon-brown sugar crumble that melts into every bite. The result is rich, cozy, and indulgent—like a cross between my diner-style French Toast and moist Coffee Cake—but the brioche makes this casserole extra delicious. It’s the ultimate holiday breakfast or brunch recipe, and one that’s guaranteed to impress your friends and family with minimal effort.

Why This Is The Best Brioche French Toast Casserole

If you love classic French toast, this brioche French toast casserole will be your new favorite breakfast recipe. It’s rich, cozy, and indulgent—like something you’d order at a brunch spot, but even better because it’s homemade.

The magic comes from using buttery brioche bread, which soaks up the sweet custard batter and bakes into soft, pillowy layers with just the right amount of richness. On top, a brown sugar and cinnamon crumble adds a bakery-style touch with a slightly crisp, caramelized crunch. It’s that perfect contrast of tender and crunchy in every bite.

What I love most about this recipe is how impressive it looks and tastes while still being incredibly easy to make. You can prep it ahead of time, let the bread absorb the custard overnight, and bake it fresh in the morning for a stress-free holiday breakfast, weekend brunch, or even a special “breakfast for dinner.” It’s the kind of dish that always gets compliments, and once you try it, you’ll see why it deserves a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.

Ingredients

This brioche French toast bake is made with common baking ingredients you probably have at home already!

Check out what you need to make the French toast:

• 1 loaf of brioche bread
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

And here's what you need for the brown sugar topping:

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

You can actually use a few of these ingredients to make this Pioneer Woman French toast casserole. It's another one of the best French toast casserole recipes, so give that a try next!

How To Make Brioche French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Prep Work

 Cut the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes and grease a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add the cubed bread slices to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. 

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs together with the milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, and let the bread soak for 30 minutes. 

Step 3: Make the Topping

When the bread is almost done soaking, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Add all the brown sugar, butter, flour, and cinnamon to a large bowl. Work these ingredients together with your fingers until they combine into coarse crumbs. 

Step 4: Bake the Casserole

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread. Bake the casserole covered for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

Step 5: Serve

Let the baked casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with maple syrup and any other desired toppings you want, and enjoy! 

Expert Tips To Make a Perfect Brioche French Toast Casserole

• Prep it ahead for an overnight French toast casserole. For the most flavorful and custardy French toast casserole, assemble everything the night before. Cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight so the brioche has plenty of time to soak up the custard. In the morning, just pop it in the oven—perfect for holidays or brunch gatherings.
• Use the right bread. Brioche bread is the gold standard here, thanks to its buttery flavor and soft texture, but challah or any slightly stale enriched bread works, too. Using bread that’s a day or two old helps it soak up the custard without turning soggy.
• Soften your butter for the crumble topping. Make sure the butter for your brown sugar-cinnamon topping is softened (not melted) before mixing. Soft butter blends smoothly with the sugar and spices, creating a crumbly streusel that bakes into a golden, bakery-style crust.
• Sweeten and flavor the custard. For extra depth, whisk a tablespoon of maple syrup into the custard mixture—it adds natural sweetness and a subtle maple flavor. A teaspoon of vanilla extract also enhances the richness and rounds out the flavors.
• Bake until golden and set. Every oven runs differently, so start checking the casserole at the minimum bake time. It should be puffed, golden brown on top, and set in the center (not jiggly). If needed, cover loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes to prevent over-browning.
• Dress it up for serving. This brioche French toast casserole is delicious on its own, but serving it with fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a dollop of whipped cream makes it feel like a restaurant-style brunch. For an extra decadent twist, drizzle with warm maple syrup or even caramel sauce.

How To Store Brioche French Toast Casserole

• In the fridge: Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or put a lid on the casserole dish. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• In the freezer: Put the leftover casserole in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for about 3 months.
• Reheating: To reheat any leftover brioche French toast casserole, bake it at 350°F for 10 minutes or until it's heated through. If reheating from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight or add more reheating time.

Brioche French Toast Casserole FAQS

What is brioche bread?

Brioche is a soft, rich French bread that’s made with butter, eggs, and milk, giving it a slightly sweet flavor and tender, pastry-like texture. It’s perfect for French toast casseroles because it soaks up the custard without falling apart, resulting in a creamy interior with a light, fluffy bite. If you can’t find brioche, challah or another enriched bread makes a great substitute.

Can I make brioche French toast casserole ahead of time?

Yes! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, just bake it as directed. The overnight soak not only makes mornings stress-free but also gives the bread more time to absorb the custard, which makes it even more flavorful, and I think it gives it an even better texture.

Why is my French toast casserole soggy?

A soggy French toast casserole usually comes from too much custard, not baking long enough, or using bread that’s too fresh. Make sure your oven is fully preheated, bake until the center is set (not jiggly), and use slightly stale brioche so it can absorb the custard evenly. Letting the casserole sit for at least 30 minutes—or overnight—for the bread to soak also helps prevent sogginess.

Should you dry out brioche before making French toast?

It’s not required, but it definitely helps, and I recommend it if you buy the bread fresh. Drying out or toasting the bread cubes lightly before assembling ensures they soak up the custard without getting mushy. If you’re short on time, you can use fresh brioche, but the casserole will have a softer texture.

More Breakfast Recipes To Try

• Challah french toast casserole
• Cinnamon roll casserole
• Crescent roll breakfast casserole
• Sheet pan pancakes
• Crescent roll cinnamon rolls
• Bisquick breakfast casserole
• Christmas breakfast casserole
• Hashbrown egg casserole