Perfect for a special breakfast, this Baked French Toast with Brioche is a sweet, indulgent morning dish that’s easy to make at home. Fluffy brioche soaks up a rich custard and butterscotch syrup, then bakes to a golden, bubbly finish. Finish with a crunchy graham cracker topping for a memorable twist.
This version bakes butterscotch right into the bread for robust, caramel-like flavor. It’s excellent for a weekend brunch, a holiday breakfast, or a comforting breakfast-for-dinner option the family will request again.
🩵 About This Recipe
This brioche French toast bake delivers a sweet, filling breakfast with an impressive presentation. Thick pieces of brioche soak in a custard made with eggs, milk, and butterscotch syrup, then bake under a buttery graham cracker crumble. The result is tender bread with a slightly crisp top and a deep toffee flavor.
It’s a simple but special twist on classic French toast—perfect to prepare the night before and bake the next morning so you can relax and serve fresh, warm French toast without the fuss.
What readers are saying…
“I made this for breakfast this morning, and my family loved it. The graham cracker topping really makes it special.”
— Jocelyn
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- Brioche — slightly stale brioche works best to absorb the custard without turning soggy.
- Eggs — form the custard that sets around the bread.
- Milk — adds richness and softens the brioche during baking.
- Butterscotch syrup — bakes into the custard for buttery, toffee flavor.
- Graham cracker crumbs — create a crunchy, nostalgic crumble topping.
- Brown sugar — sweetens the topping and deepens the caramel notes.
- Butter — helps brown the topping and adds richness.
- Salt — balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
🔪 Let’s Make Baked French Toast with Brioche!
Make the Custard
Whisk together the eggs, milk, and ½ cup butterscotch syrup until smooth. This custard will flavor and moisten the brioche as it rests in the fridge.
Coat the Bread
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and arrange the brioche pieces in an even layer. Pour the custard over the bread, pressing gently so pieces soak up the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
Prepare the Topping
Melt the butter and mix it with graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of butterscotch syrup, and a pinch of salt to make a crumbly topping that bakes up crisp.
Top and Bake
Remove the baking dish from the fridge, evenly sprinkle the graham cracker topping over the custard-soaked brioche, and bake uncovered in a preheated 450°F (230°C) oven until golden and bubbling, about 20–25 minutes. Watch closely near the end to prevent over-browning.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use slightly stale brioche so it absorbs custard without becoming soggy.
- Cut the bread into uniform pieces for even soaking and baking.
- High-quality syrup—homemade or store-bought—makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
❔ FAQs
Brioche is a rich French bread made with additional butter, eggs, and milk. It’s slightly sweet and tender, sitting somewhere between a bread and a pastry.
Sogginess usually happens when the bread is too fresh and soft—use day-old or slightly stale bread so the custard soaks in without turning the loaf mushy.
Early versions of this dish date back centuries and even to ancient Rome; the modern name “French toast” comes from recipes popularized by French cooks and immigrants.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Swap butterscotch for caramel or pure maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
- Add mix-ins like chocolate chips, sliced bananas, or toasted nuts before baking.
- If you don’t have brioche, challah or crusty French bread are good alternatives.
Kristin’s Kitchen Tip
Letting the dish chill longer lets the custard fully penetrate the bread, improving texture and flavor—overnight is ideal.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through.
This recipe freezes well in portioned containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
Assemble the bake and refrigerate covered overnight. In the morning, add the topping and bake—this saves time and improves flavor.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Serve warm with an extra drizzle of butterscotch or caramel sauce, a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, fresh berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert-style servings. A dollop of whipped cream brightens the plate and balances richness.
Brioche French Toast Bake
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📋 Recipe Card
Baked French Toast With Brioche and Butterscotch
A simple baked French toast made with brioche, butterscotch syrup baked into the custard, and a crunchy graham cracker crumble on top.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces brioche bread, cut into bite-sized pieces (stale works great)
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup butterscotch syrup
- ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons butterscotch syrup (for topping)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, 1 cup milk, and ½ cup butterscotch syrup until smooth.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Distribute the brioche pieces evenly and pour the egg mixture over the bread, pressing gently to help pieces soak up the custard.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor and texture.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- For the topping, combine ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 2 teaspoons butterscotch syrup, and ¼ teaspoon salt until evenly moistened.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the chilled casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until golden and bubbling. Watch carefully near the end to avoid burning the topping.
Notes & Tips
- Use stale brioche for the best texture; fresh bread can turn soggy.
- Try adding chocolate chips, banana slices, or chopped nuts before baking for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze portions for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 425 kcal | Carbohydrates: 47 g | Protein: 10 g | Fat: 22 g
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in February 2017 and was updated with tips, new photos, and a revised recipe in September 2025.
Thanks for reading! If you try this baked French toast, I hope it becomes a favorite weekend treat. Happy cooking!
