OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST

Overnight French Toast image

If you have a crowd for breakfast, overnight French toast is a winning idea. Instead of standing over the stove, cooking slice after slice, it bakes in the oven and emerges puffed and golden and ready for a big glug of maple syrup. Try making it with a stale loaf that you forgot to eat amid all the other holiday goodies. A fat brioche, fruit-filled panettone or a braided challah all work well. Stay away from croissants, though: Their chewy interiors are best enjoyed fresh.

Provided by Samantha Seneviratne

Categories breakfast, breads, custards and puddings, main course

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for baking dish
1 pound enriched bread, such as brioche, challah or panettone sliced 3/4-inch thick
1/4 cup golden raisins (optional)
6 large eggs
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
Confectioners' sugar for dusting (optional)
Maple syrup, for serving

Steps:

Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Butter the front sides of the slices of bread and shingle the slices upright in the dish, overlapping as necessary. Nestle the raisins evenly between the slices of bread but not on top.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt until well combined. Pour the milk mixture over the bread and press the bread gently to absorb. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the top. Bake until puffed, golden and set in the center, 50 to 60 minutes. While baking, if the top begins to get too dark, tent with foil. Let stand 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve with maple syrup.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 364, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 38 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 368 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 0 grams