Spring Brunch Strawberry French Toast (Printable)

A layered dish of brioche, strawberries, and custard baked to golden perfection for spring brunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread & Fruit

01 - 1 loaf brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 14 oz)
02 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

→ Custard Mixture

03 - 6 large eggs
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds
12 - 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar or coarse sugar

# How To Make It:

01 - Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Arrange half of the bread cubes in the baking dish. Scatter half of the sliced strawberries over the bread. Repeat with remaining bread and strawberries, layering them evenly.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
04 - Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and strawberries, pressing gently to help the bread absorb the liquid.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
07 - Uncover the baking dish. Drizzle the melted butter over the top, then sprinkle with sliced almonds and turbinado sugar.
08 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
09 - Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It serves eight people with zero morning stress—prep it the night before and just bake.
  • Fresh strawberries and warm spices make it feel special enough for company but honest enough for a quiet family weekend.
  • The brioche gets custard-soaked and golden without ever needing to touch a skillet.
02 -
  • Day-old or slightly stale bread is essential—fresh bread falls apart in the custard, something I discovered after my first mushy batch.
  • Don't skip the overnight chill; the bread needs time to truly soak and the flavors need time to marry together.
03 -
  • If you're worried about the center not setting, use a cake tester—it should come out clean or with just a tiny bit of custard clinging to it, not liquid.
  • Letting the baked casserole rest ten minutes before cutting is the difference between neat slices and a delicious scramble on the plate.
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