Experience breakfast decadence with Paula Deen’s Baked French Toast—a divine creation that takes the humble French bread to new heights. This indulgent dish, soaked in a rich blend of eggs, half and half, and aromatic spices, is crowned with a luscious praline topping, making every bite a symphony of flavors. Prepare it the night before, and wake up to a breakfast masterpiece that will elevate your mornings.
In our home, Paula Deen’s Baked French Toast has become a weekend ritual, transforming lazy mornings into a feast of flavors. The anticipation begins the night before as the French bread slices soak up the luxurious egg mixture. The next morning, the kitchen is filled with the irresistible scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla. The praline topping, a heavenly blend of butter, brown sugar, and pecans, adds the perfect finishing touch, turning a simple breakfast into a celebration.
Why This Paula Deen’s Baked French Toast:
Unlock the Magic of a Breakfast Extravaganza!
- Overnight prep: A make-ahead wonder, allowing you to savor a stress-free morning with minimal effort.
- Custard perfection: French bread slices soak in a heavenly blend of eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and spices, creating a custard-like texture.
- Praline perfection: The praline topping, a melange of butter, brown sugar, pecans, and spices, adds a sweet and nutty crunch to every bite.
- Versatile: Serve with your favorite syrup or indulge in its exquisite flavors without any accompaniments.
- Crowd-pleaser: Ideal for brunch gatherings, family breakfasts, or special occasions, impressing everyone with its irresistible charm.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread (approximately 1½ loaves) – about 20 1-inch slices
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup milk
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- Dash of salt
Praline Topping:
- 1 lb. butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
Instructions:
- The night before serving, grease the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Slice the French bread into 1-inch slices, making about 20 slices.
- Layer the French bread in the casserole dish in two rows, overlapping each other, standing up. Beat together eggs, half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread, ensuring it gets between the slices to cover all evenly. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Make the praline topping by combining the ingredients and spreading it evenly over the French toast.
- Bake for 40 minutes until puffy and lightly browned. Check the middle section for doneness; if needed, bake a little longer.
- Serve this heavenly creation with your favorite syrup and relish the morning bliss!
Notes: Feel free to customize by adding a touch of your favorite spices to the egg mixture or experimenting with different types of nuts in the praline topping. This Paula Deen’s Baked French Toast is an exquisite breakfast treat, perfect for creating lasting memories around the breakfast table.
