Description

Warm up your mornings with this delightful Pumpkin Spice French Toast Bake, a comforting dish that combines the creamy sweetness of pumpkin puree with fragrant pumpkin pie spice. Perfect for fall or any cozy occasion, this baked breakfast casserole pairs cubed bread soaked in a rich custard mixture, baked to golden perfection, and optionally topped with crunchy pecans for added texture.

Ingredients

Scale

French Toast Mixture

1 loaf of bread, cubed
1 cup pumpkin puree
4 large eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Toppings

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
Prepare Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine Bread and Custard: Add the cubed bread to the pumpkin custard mixture and gently stir to make sure all the bread pieces are soaked evenly.
Add Pecans: If using, fold in the chopped pecans to add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor to the dish.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the soaked bread mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Let the baked French toast cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly for perfect slices.

Notes

You can use any bread you prefer: brioche, challah, or even whole wheat will work.
For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with almond or oat milk.
Leftover bake can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
If you prefer a sweeter dish, drizzle maple syrup or honey on top before serving.
Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the pumpkin spice flavor further.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
Category: Breakfast Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American