Bourbon Pecan French Toast Casserole is going to be your new favorite brunch item! Buttery, rich brioche bread is layered with a cinnamon pecan filling, and flavored with bourbon and maple syrup.
It’s the last day for #BrunchWeek 2020 hosted by myself and A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures! We hope you enjoyed all our Brunch recipes!
French Toast Casserole or Bread Pudding?
Some people argue that French toast casserole and bread pudding are the same thing, only eaten at different times. I both agree and disagree with that statement. For the most part, I treat bread pudding like a dessert item, especially when it comes with sweet mix-ins, or toppings like Vanilla Bean Bourbon Whipped Cream or Salted Caramel Sauce.
Most of my bread puddings have both milk and heavy whipping cream. In contrast, a majority of my French Toast Casseroles use only milk, sometimes half-and-half. Regardless of how you prepare it, quality items are necessary, so don’t skimp on the ingredients.
I recommend these types of bread for Bourbon Pecan French Toast Casserole:
- Brioche – a buttery, rich bread, similar to a sandwich loaf but made with butter and eggs. This is my top choice for French toast and bread puddings. Brioche soaks up the liquid and the custard and still get crispy on top.
- Challah – a braided enriched dough made with eggs and oil, instead of butter. Its crumb is slightly sturdier that brioche, but is equally perfect for French toast and bread pudding.
- Pullman loaf/Pain de mie – also called a sandwich loaf, this is not your normal sliced sandwich bread from the grocery aisle. It is similar in shape and size, but I recommend a pullman loaf as opposed to grocery store sandwich bread, because it is not sliced and you can cut it to your liking. When making French toast casserole or bread pudding, I generally do 1/2 inch to 1 inch cubes.
Here are a few of my favorite casserole dishes. This Bourbon Pecan French Toast Casserole makes a large recipe, or you can split it into two different dishes.
Bourbon Pecan French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Bourbon Pecan French Toast Casserole
- 16 ounces brioche bread
- 3 cups milk
- ¼ cup Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
- 8 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup bourbon
- ½ cup maple syrup
Cinnamon Pecan Crumble Topping
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup Dixie Crystals Light Brown Sugar
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ cup cold butter, cubed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Butter or spray large casserole baking dish and set aside. Cube brioche into 1/2 inch cubes.
- In large food processor, combine ingredients for Cinnamon Pecan Crumble Topping. Pulse until combined and butter is cut into small pieces. Do not over-pulse, or else the butter will start melting and it will become dough-like.
- Place half of the bread cubes into the casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the Cinnamon Pecan Crumble Topping. Repeat with remaining brioche cubes and crumble topping.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and granulated sugar until the milk is warm and sugar has dissolved. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, cinnamon, bourbon and maple syrup. Slowly pour in the warm milk mixture while constantly whisking.
- Slowly pour liquid over bread cubes. If necessary, press down slightly so every piece of bread is coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate minimum 1 hour, up to 8 hours.
- Heat oven to 350°F. Bake casserole 45-60 minutes, until the center is no longer soggy and the top is lightly brown. Serve warm with Bourbon Maple Syrup
Beverages Recipes
- Einspänner (Viennese Coffee with Whipped Cream) by Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Strawberry Ginger Sangria by Nik Snacks
- Strawberry Rhubarb Mimosas by Kate’s Recipe Box
Bread, Grains, and Cereal Recipes
- Biscuit Ebelskiver by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Bourbon Pecan French Toast Casserole by Love & Confections
- Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins by Family Around the Table
- Homemade Cream Cheese Danish by Big Bears Wife
- Soft Summer Herb Bread Knots by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Egg Recipes
- Easy and Airy Cheese Soufflé for Two by Making Miracles
- Sausage Egg and Cheese Breakfast Roll-Ups by Cheese Curd In Paradise
Fruit and Veggie Recipes
- Blueberries and Cream Galette by The Spiffy Cookie
- Home Fries by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Recipes
- Turkey and Cheese Rollups by The Mandatory Mooch
- Vegan Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Burrito by Happily Curated Chaos
Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars by Sweet Beginnings
- cookies and cream macaron by April Golightly
- German Plum Cake by Caroline’s Cooking
- Keto Cheesecake Fluff by Keto Basic AF
- Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
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