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Brown Sugar Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Brown Sugar Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe

I can’t wait to share this recipe with you because it’s an absolute game-changer for breakfast and brunch! The first time I made this Brown Sugar Banana French Toast Casserole, I knew it was going straight into my recipe hall of fame. It’s gooey, sweet, and carries the comforting flavors of cinnamon and caramelized bananas.
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Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • French bread 12 oz loaf, preferably day-old
  • 4 ripe bananas
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Heavy cream
  • Brown sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Salt
  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsalted butter
  • Brown sugar

Method
 

  1. Cut the French bread into 1-inch cubes. If it’s not stale, leave the cubes on a tray overnight to dry out. Stale bread soaks up the custard better, giving you that perfect mushy yet firm texture.
  2. Grease your baking dish and spread the bread cubes evenly in it. Next, layer the sliced bananas across the bread pieces. This adds sweetness and that signature banana flavor in every bite.
  3. Whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Pour this tasty mixture over the bread and bananas. Give the bread a gentle press to help it soak up all the liquid goodness.
  4. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. This step is crucial to help the flavors meld together beautifully.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While waiting, prepare the brown sugar topping by mixing flour, brown sugar, and cubed butter until crumbly. Use your fingertips for the best texture.
  6. Remove the casserole from the fridge, sprinkle the topping evenly over it, and bake for 45-55 minutes. It’s ready when the top turns golden brown, and the casserole is set. Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Notes

  • Use Stale Bread: Stale bread absorbs custard better, so it’s worth using day-old bread or drying it out beforehand.
  • Don’t Skip Refrigeration: Chilling the casserole ensures the bread soaks in all the flavors.
  • Sweetness Balance: Taste the custard mixture before pouring to ensure it’s to your liking.
  • Even Topping Distribution: Crumble the topping mixture evenly for a perfect golden crust.