Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole is made with crusty sourdough or French bread, eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, flour, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and butter. This easy French Bread Casserole recipe creates a delicious breakfast that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole Ingredients
Ingredients For the French Toast:
- Butter, for greasing the baking pan and serving
- 1 loaf of crusty sourdough or French bread
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- Warm syrup, for serving
- 1 cup fresh blueberries, for serving
Ingredients For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste (optional)
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
How To Make Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole
- Grease and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan generously with butter.
- Mix the French Toast Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Tear or cut the bread into chunks and evenly distribute them in the prepared pan. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, ensuring all pieces are soaked. Cover the pan tightly with foil and refrigerate, ideally overnight.
- Prepare the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg (if using). Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in the fridge in a sealed plastic bag until needed.
- Assemble and Bake: Remove the casserole and topping from the fridge. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes for a softer texture or up to 1 hour for a crisper finish.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp. Serve warm, topped with additional butter, drizzled with warm syrup, and sprinkled with fresh blueberries.
Recipe Tips
- Pick Stale, Crusty Bread: Use old sourdough or French bread because it soaks up the egg mixture well and won’t get too soft.
- Prepare the Night Before You can put the casserole together the evening before you plan to eat it. This lets the bread absorb all the flavors overnight, saving you time in the morning.
- Keep It from Getting Soggy: If your casserole is too wet, you might need to bake it longer. Make sure to use crusty bread instead of soft bread like white sandwich bread.
- Don’t Cover While Baking: Bake your casserole without covering it. This makes the top crunchy and tasty.
- Add Different Fruits: Feel free to add various fruits like berries, dry raisin, peaches, or apples depending on the season. This adds more flavors and makes your casserole colorful.
What To Serve With French Bread Casserole
This French bread casserole goes well with crispy bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes, and fresh fruit. You can also have it with orange juice, coffee, tea, or yogurt with honey for a full, tasty breakfast.
How To Store French Bread Casserole
- Refrigerate: Cool the French Bread Casserole completely. Then, cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the casserole. First, wrap it tightly with aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer bag or use a freezer-safe container. The casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How To Reheat Leftover French Bread Casserole
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Reheat for about 15-20 minutes, or until it is hot all the way through.
- In The Microwave: Put a portion of the casserole in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
- In The Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the casserole to an air fryer-safe container. Heat for 5-10 minutes, checking halfway to avoid overheating or drying out.
Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 of 8 servings
- Calories: 490
- Total Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 28 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 227 mg
- Sodium: 560 mg
FAQs
Can I Use Less Fat Milk Instead Of Whole Milk And Cream?
Yes, you can use low-fat milk instead of whole milk and cream. The casserole will be less creamy but still tasty.
What’s The Best Way To Make Sure All The Bread Gets Soaked?
After adding the egg mix, press down on the bread with a spatula or spoon. This helps the bread soak up the mix evenly.
Can I Add Nuts To The Topping For Extra Crunch?
Absolutely! Adding chopped pecans, almond, or walnuts to the topping before baking can add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to your casserole.
How Do I Know When The French Bread Casserole Is Cooked?
The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and crisp, and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. Insert a knife in the center; if it comes out clean, the casserole is ready.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Ham And Egg Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Breakfast Burrito Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Breakfast Potato Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole
Description
Pioneer Woman French Bread Casserole is made with crusty sourdough or French bread, eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, flour, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and butter. This easy French Bread Casserole recipe creates a delicious breakfast that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Ingredients
Ingredients For the French Toast:
Ingredients For the Topping:
Instructions
- Grease and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan generously with butter.
- Mix the French Toast Base: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Tear or cut the bread into chunks and evenly distribute them in the prepared pan. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, ensuring all pieces are soaked. Cover the pan tightly with foil and refrigerate, ideally overnight.
- Prepare the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg (if using). Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in the fridge in a sealed plastic bag until needed.
- Assemble and Bake: Remove the casserole and topping from the fridge. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes for a softer texture or up to 1 hour for a crisper finish.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp. Serve warm, topped with additional butter, drizzled with warm syrup, and sprinkled with fresh blueberries.
Notes
- Pick Stale, Crusty Bread: Use old sourdough or French bread because it soaks up the egg mixture well and won’t get too soft.
- Prepare the Night Before You can put the casserole together the evening before you plan to eat it. This lets the bread absorb all the flavors overnight, saving you time in the morning.
- Keep It from Getting Soggy: If your casserole is too wet, you might need to bake it longer. Make sure to use crusty bread instead of soft bread like white sandwich bread.
- Don’t Cover While Baking: Bake your casserole without covering it. This makes the top crunchy and tasty.
- Add Different Fruits: Feel free to add various fruits like berries, dry raisin, peaches, or apples depending on the season. This adds more flavors and makes your casserole colorful.