Here’s a rich, decadent, and crowd-pleasing Caramel-Bottom French Toast Bake — perfect for brunches, holidays, or a sweet weekend breakfast. It’s gooey, buttery, and easy to prepare ahead of time.
🍞 Caramel-Bottom French Toast Bake
📝 Ingredients:
For the caramel bottom:
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1 cup packed brown sugar
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
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2 tbsp corn syrup (or honey/maple syrup)
For the French toast:
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1 loaf French bread (about 10–12 cups cubed)
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6 large eggs
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2 cups whole milk (or half & half for extra richness)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ tsp cinnamon
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¼ tsp salt
Optional toppings:
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Powdered sugar
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Chopped pecans or walnuts
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Fresh berries or banana slices
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Whipped cream or maple syrup
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Prepare the caramel bottom:
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In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup together.
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Stir until smooth and bubbling, about 2–3 minutes.
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Pour the caramel into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
2. Add bread:
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Cube the bread into bite-sized pieces and evenly layer it over the caramel sauce.
3. Make the custard:
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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
4. Pour & soak:
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Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to help the bread absorb the liquid.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
5. Bake:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes, or until golden brown on top and set in the middle.
6. Serve:
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Let cool for 5–10 minutes, then scoop and flip portions to reveal the gooey caramel bottom.
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Top with powdered sugar, fruit, or syrup if desired.
🔁 Variations:
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Add-ins: Mix in blueberries, chocolate chips, or chopped apples before baking.
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Nutty twist: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the caramel layer for a praline effect.
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Bourbon boost: Add 1–2 tsp of bourbon or rum to the caramel for a deeper flavor.