Description

Pumpkin Pie French Toast Bake is a creamy, custard-soaked casserole that combines classic pumpkin pie spices with tender bread slices, baked to golden perfection. This comforting dish fills your kitchen with irresistible warm aromas, making it perfect for festive mornings, family gatherings, or brunch. The rich flavors and soft, custardy texture create a sweet and hearty breakfast treat that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

Sturdy thick slices of brioche or challah (about 8-10 slices, 1-inch thick)

Custard Mixture

1 cup pumpkin puree
4 large eggs
2 cups milk or cream (can substitute half-and-half or heavy cream)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp vanilla extract

For Baking

2 tbsp butter (for greasing and dotting on top)

Optional Toppings

Chopped pecans or walnuts
Maple syrup

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Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the bread into thick 1-inch pieces. Gather pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, brown sugar, spices, and vanilla extract. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin puree, milk or cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spices until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Bake: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Arrange bread slices evenly in the dish. Pour the custard mixture over the bread, pressing gently to help bread soak the liquid evenly.
Refrigerate and Soak (Optional but Recommended): Cover and refrigerate the assembled dish for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
Bake Until Golden: Dot the top with small pieces of butter and sprinkle chopped pecans if desired. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden and custard is set (a knife inserted comes out mostly clean).
Cool and Serve: Let the bake cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or whipped cream as desired.

Notes

Day-old bread works best as it soaks up custard better without falling apart.
Adjust pumpkin pie spices gradually to avoid overpowering flavors.
Refrigerating overnight improves flavor and texture significantly.
For extra richness, substitute milk with half-and-half or heavy cream.
Oven temperatures vary; start checking doneness around 40 minutes to prevent drying out.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of recipe)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 120mg