Gather your loved ones for a truly delightful breakfast or brunch experience with this Maple Bacon French Toast Bake with Vanilla Cream. Imagine the aroma of caramelized maple and crispy bacon wafting through the air, followed by the irresistible flavor of custardy french toast. This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Bacon French Toast Bake with Vanilla Cream
This epic breakfast bake combines the cozy, comfort of French toast with the smoky, zesty flavor of maple-kissed bacon. The velvety vanilla cream adds a lush, indulgent touch that takes this dish to the next level of craveable goodness. Serve it up for a festive weekend brunch, a special holiday gathering, or simply a hearty, satisfying weekday breakfast – it’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a handful of easy-to-find ingredients that come together to create a truly magical dish. You’ll need crusty bread, eggs, milk, cream, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and smoky bacon. The key is using high-quality, fresh ingredients that will lend to the bright, flavorful end result.
- 8 cups – cubed crusty bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Ingredient Substitutions
- Bread Type: Challah or brioche for a richer, more indulgent texture
- Bacon: Sausage or ham for a different savory twist
How to Make Maple Bacon French Toast Bake with Vanilla Cream
Follow these simple steps for a foolproof, restaurant-worthy breakfast bake.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by cubing the bread and arranging it in a greased baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, and a touch of maple syrup. Pour this custard mixture over the bread, making sure all the pieces are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to allow the bread to soak up all the flavors.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven is heating, cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towels, then crumble or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle the bacon evenly over the soaked bread.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Bake the french toast bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown and crispy. Allow the dish to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract to make the vanilla cream. Drizzle the creamy topping over the warm bake and serve immediately, garnished with additional crumbled bacon if desired.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Festive Touch: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of fresh berries to the bake
- Grown-Up Twist: Swap the maple syrup for a touch of bourbon or dark rum
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the bake, cover, and refrigerate overnight before baking. Just be sure to account for a slightly longer baking time if the dish is going straight from the fridge to the oven.
- Texture Variation: Use challah or brioche bread for an even richer, more indulgent texture
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Fresh fruit, a drizzle of real maple syrup, and a strong cup of coffee.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven before serving.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the entire dish the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Just be sure to account for a slightly longer baking time since the cold ingredients will take longer to heat through.
Nutrition Information
This decadent french toast bake is a delightful indulgence, but it does pack a nutritional punch as well. Each serving provides a hearty dose of protein from the eggs and bacon, along with carbohydrates from the bread and a touch of healthy fats from the dairy. As with any rich, comforting dish, moderation is key, but this bake can certainly be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the bake
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Protein: 23 g
- Carbs: 43 g
- Fat: 38 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the standard bread for a gluten-free variety and you’re good to go. The texture and flavor will be just as delicious.
How do I know when the bake is fully cooked?
The center of the bake should be set, and the top should be golden brown and crispy. You can also insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the dish is done.
Can I make this bake ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the entire dish the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Just be sure to account for a slightly longer baking time since the cold ingredients will take longer to heat through.
How do I reheat leftovers?
For best results, reheat individual portions in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave leftovers, but the texture may not be as crisp.
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While crusty French bread or a sturdy sourdough work great, you can experiment with challah, brioche, or even whole wheat bread for different flavors and textures.
Try These Next
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake With Cream Cheese Drizzle
- Maple Bacon Pancakes With Whipped Cream Drizzle
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole With Maple Syrup
Maple Bacon French Toast Bake with Vanilla Cream
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: 🍳 Breakfast & Brunch Upgrades
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Maple Bacon French Toast Bake is a delicious and easy breakfast option perfect for brunch gatherings. Layers of bread, crispy bacon, and a sweet maple-vanilla custard come together to create a mouthwatering dish, topped off with a velvety vanilla cream.
Ingredients
– 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread, cut into cubes
– 8 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
– 6 large eggs
– 2 cups whole milk
– 1/2 cup maple syrup
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
– Fresh berries for serving (optional)
Instructions
1.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Add the bread cubes and crumbled bacon to the egg mixture. Stir until well combined and the bread is soaked.
5. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
7. While the bake is cooking, prepare the vanilla cream by whipping heavy cream until soft peaks form, then fold in vanilla extract and powdered sugar to taste.
8. Once the French toast bake is done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
9. Serve warm, topped with vanilla cream and fresh berries, if desired.
10.
Notes
Feel free to add nuts or dried fruits to the bake for extra flavor.
This dish can be made ahead of time; simply assemble the night before and bake in the morning.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: French Toast, Maple, Bacon, Breakfast, Brunch