Maple Bourbon French Toast Bake

Breakfast
·
November 12, 2022
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This Maple Bourbon French Toast Bake will take your holiday mornings to the next level! It's easy to make, can be made ahead for the weekends, and is bursting with cozy flavors.

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What is the best bread to use for French Toast?

The best breads to use for French Toast are Brioche, Challah, and French Baguette. They are more on the sweet side of bread, fluffy, and absorb the liquid mixture best without making the bread soggy.

In this recipe, I decided to make two loaves of challah bread the day before. One I used for this recipe, and the other one I froze for more busier weeks when I just want to pull one out of the freezer!

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How to make Maple Bourbon French Toast Bake?

  • STEP 1: Make the caramelized maple pecans.

Simply combine the roughly chopped pecans with equal parts salted butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar. You want the butter to melt before increasing the heat to medium high, stirring continuously for several minutes. The mixture should come to a light rolling boil for just a few minutes. Be careful not to burn it!

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  • STEP 2: Remove half of the caramelized pecans to place in the baking dish. Or if using a oven-safe dish, remove half to set aside for later.

When adding them back on after baking, you may need to heat the caramelized pecan up a little bit.

  • STEP 3: Whisk the eggs, milk, spices, and vanilla extract together until smooth.

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  • STEP 4: Submerge the thickly sliced bread into the egg mixture.
  • STEP 5: Place in the pan with the caramelized pecans mixture.
  • STEP 6: Pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread.

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Can French Toast Bakes be made ahead of time?

Yes! This breakfast casserole is a wonderful make ahead recipe. You would work up to the baking point. So, before baking, cover the baking dish and let sit in the fridge 30 minutes to overnight before baking!

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  • STEP 7: Bake until golden brown.

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If needed, you can cover it with aluminum foil if it starts to get too brown but you still want it to bake.

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How to make homemade Bourbon Maple Syrup?

I believe the first time I had Bourbon Maple Syrup was at a small restaurant in New York City. And ever since then, I always wondered how to make it but thought it was way more complicated than the reality.

All you do is combine 1 cup real maple syrup with 3 tbsp. bourbon and 1 tsp. vanilla extract in a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium high heat, then let it simmer 5-10 minutes. The heating process cancels out the alcohol, so that it is family friendly!

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How to store leftover French Toast?

To store leftover french toast, let it cool to room temperature then wrap each individual slice in plastic wrap. Wrapping in individual slices prevents it from becoming soggy. Store the French toast up to 3 days in the fridge.

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How to reheat leftover French Toast?

There are two options: (1) Stovetop or (2) Oven.

For the Oven,

  1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Place the French Toast in a single layer on the pan, leaving 1" space in between.
  3. Bake for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until warmed. Enjoy!

For the Stovetop,

  1. In a large pan over medium high heat, add a little butter or olive oil. Let heat up for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  2. Add the French toast to cook 6-8 minutes, filliping halfway, until warmed and crispy on the edges. Enjoy!

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Now, it’s time to grab our aprons and begin baking deliciousness! ’till next time! xxL

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If you loved this delicious recipe I would truly appreciate it so much if you would give a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram@brightmomentco. It always makes my day seeing y’alls creations!

For more tasty A Bright Moment recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

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“"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

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Print it

Maple Bourbon French Toast Bake

This breakfast bake will take your holiday mornings to the next level! It's easy to make, can be made ahead for the weekends, and is bursting with cozy flavors.

PREP:
15
MINS
HOURS
COOK:
35
MINS
HOURS
TOTAL:
50
MINS
HOURS
TOTAL:
50
Author:
Lauren Taylor

Ingredients

Servings: 10-12

For the French Toast:

  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 4 tbsp. Salted Butter
  • 1/2 cup Pecans, roughly chopped
  • 8 large Eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups Whole Milk
  • 3 tbsp. Bourbon
  • 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. Salt
  • 1 load Challah Bread, thick slices

For the Bourbon Maple Syrup:

  • 1 cup Real Maple Syrup
  • 3 tbsp. Bourbon
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Instructions

For the French Toast:

  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish, or use a large oven-safe pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, bourbon, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg together until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, butter, and pecan in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter has melted. Let it come to a light rolling boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring consistently to caramelize the pecans. Pour half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Reserve the other half for later.
  4. While the mixture is still hot, work quick to submerge the thickly sliced challah bread in the egg mixture to soak then place in the pan on top of the pecan mix. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the layered challah.
  5. If baking immediately, let sit for 10 minutes before placing in the oven. Cover with foil to bake 10 minutes covered, then bake 25-30 minutes uncovered, until golden brown on top.
  6. If making ahead, cover the baking dish to sit up to overnight. Bake covered for 10 minutes, then uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
  7. Add the remaining pecan mixture on top to serve warm with whipped cream and the Bourbon Maple Syrup. Enjoy!

For the Bourbon Maple Syrup:

  1. Combine all ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes.

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Hey, I’m Lauren!

Welcome! The recipes you’ll find here are inspired by seasonal ingredients, generations-old family recipes, and places I’ve grown to love most. My hope is to inspire you inside the kitchen with a love for home-cooked foods, as well as outside the kitchen since everyday is another chance to make a bright moment in someone's life ;)

Let's be friends!
Purecane
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