Irresistible Banana French Toast Bake

Start your day with a delightful twist on a classic breakfast favorite: Banana French Toast Bake. This easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish combines the comforting flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, and ripe bananas, making it perfect for weekend brunches or holiday breakfasts.

In our home, the Banana French Toast Bake is a weekend ritual. My husband and kids eagerly anticipate this special treat every Saturday morning. The aroma of cinnamon and caramelizing bananas fills the house, creating an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness. It’s a dish that has brought countless smiles and happy moments to our family gatherings.

Why This Banana French Toast Bake:Unique Selling Points:

• Luscious Glaze: A rich banana-brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully.
• Perfect Custard: A creamy mixture of eggs, heavy cream, and milk, infused with cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Hearty Bread Base: Made with French bread cubes that soak up the delicious custard, creating a perfect texture.
• Easy Preparation: Simple steps that make it easy to prepare, even on busy mornings.

Ingredients

Banana-Brown Sugar Glaze:

• ½ cup (113g or 4 oz) butter
• ¾ cup (150g or 5.3 oz) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon (2.6g or 0.09 oz) cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon (5ml or 0.17 fl oz) vanilla extract
• 5 bananas, sliced

Custard:

• 8 large eggs
• ¾ cup (150g or 5.3 oz) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon (2.6g or 0.09 oz) cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon (0.65g or 0.02 oz) nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons (10ml or 0.34 fl oz) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml or 8 fl oz) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240ml or 8 fl oz) milk
• 1 loaf (450g or 1 lb) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

Garnish:

• Powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Prepare the Glaze: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Bring to a simmer and add the sliced bananas. Cook for a few minutes until the bananas are coated and the mixture is slightly thickened.
3. Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and milk. Add the French bread cubes and gently mix until the bread is fully soaked with the custard mixture.
4. Assemble the Bake: Pour the bread mixture into a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Spread the banana and sugar glaze evenly over the top.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy around the edges.
6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
7. Enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy this delicious start to your day!

Notes:

• Substitutions: For a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk.
• Additions: Feel free to add a handful of chopped nuts or a few chocolate chips to the custard mixture for extra flavor.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
• Serving Suggestion: This bake pairs wonderfully with fresh berries or a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side.