King Cake French Toast Bake (Print View)

Cinnamon-swirled brioche soaked overnight in custard, baked golden with festive icing and sprinkles.

# Components:

→ Bread and Custard

01 - 1 large loaf brioche or challah (approximately 16 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 6 large eggs
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
09 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Filling

11 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - ⅓ cup powdered sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest

→ Topping

14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Icing and Decoration

17 - 1 cup powdered sugar
18 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
19 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
20 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars or sprinkles

# Directions:

01 - Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer or vigorous hand mixing.
03 - Arrange half of the bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
04 - Dollop the cream cheese mixture evenly over the first layer of bread cubes, distributing in small portions.
05 - Layer the remaining bread cubes over the cream cheese filling.
06 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until thoroughly combined.
07 - Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread, pressing down gently to ensure adequate soaking throughout.
08 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
09 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the casserole from refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature while the oven heats.
10 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
11 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes until the casserole is puffed and golden brown on top.
12 - Remove from oven and allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes.
13 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
14 - Drizzle the glaze over the warm casserole and immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in festive stripes.
15 - Serve the casserole warm, optionally accompanied by fresh berries or whipped cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's make-ahead magic: Prep it the night before and wake up to a showstopping breakfast that feels fancy but requires almost no morning effort.
  • The cream cheese layer is a game-changer: It adds unexpected richness that transforms regular French toast into something more indulgent and special.
  • Visually stunning enough for company: Those vibrant icing drizzles and festive sprinkles make it look like you spent hours when really you just followed simple steps.
02 -
  • Don't skip the overnight soak: I tried baking it after just 4 hours once, thinking it would speed things up, and the center stayed custardy in an unpleasant way—overnight is non-negotiable for even texture.
  • Room temperature matters more than you think: Pulling the dish from the fridge while the oven preheats makes the difference between a soupy middle and a perfectly set interior.
  • Press the bread gently, not aggressively: You want the custard to seep in, not compress the bread into dense hockey pucks.
03 -
  • Invest in good brioche: Grocery store bakery sections usually have it fresh, and it makes a tangible difference in how luxurious the final dish tastes and feels.
  • If your icing is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time: It should flow easily but coat the back of a spoon—too thick and it won't drizzle, too thin and it slides off.
  • The cream cheese mixture works best when truly softened: Cold cream cheese won't spread evenly, so let it sit out for 20 minutes before you beat it.
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