King Cake French Toast Bake (Print Version)

Overnight custard-soaked brioche with cinnamon, baked golden and finished with colorful icing and sprinkles.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread and Custard

01 - 1 large loaf brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 16 oz)
02 - 6 large eggs
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Filling

11 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/3 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest

→ Topping

14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Icing and Decoration

17 - 1 cup powdered sugar
18 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
19 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
20 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars or sprinkles

# How To Make It:

01 - Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined.
03 - Arrange half the brioche cubes in the prepared baking dish. Dollop cream cheese mixture evenly over bread layer. Top with remaining bread cubes.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
05 - Pour custard mixture evenly over bread layers, pressing down gently to ensure even soaking. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from refrigerator and allow to stand at room temperature while oven heats.
07 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle mixture evenly over the casserole.
08 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is puffed and golden brown.
09 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before decorating.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Drizzle icing over the warm casserole. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in festive stripes.
11 - Serve the casserole warm. Optionally accompany with fresh berries or whipped cream.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Make-ahead convenience means you can prepare it the night before and simply bake in the morning
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal morning effort
  • Beautiful presentation with festive Mardi Gras colors that wow guests
  • Rich custard-soaked bread with creamy filling creates an indulgent texture
  • Easy enough for beginners but impressive enough for special occasions
  • Combines the beloved flavors of French toast with the festive spirit of King Cake
02 -
  • Use a good quality brioche or challah for the best flavor and texture
  • Don't skip the overnight soak—it's essential for achieving that perfect custardy interior
  • Apply the icing while the bake is still warm so it creates beautiful drizzles
  • Add the colored sugars immediately after icing while it's still wet so they stick properly
  • Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly during baking
  • Press down gently on the bread mixture before refrigerating to ensure all pieces are submerged
  • Let the baked casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the custard to set slightly
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