Description
Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast brings Southern comfort to breakfast tables with rich, caramelized pecans nestled atop golden, custardy bread. Indulgent layers of flavor invite weekend brunch celebrations where classic French toast meets beloved pecan pie in one irresistible morning dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pecan Filling:
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Custard Base:
- 6 large eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Bread:
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into 8 slices
Instructions
- Whisk whole milk, heavy cream, large eggs, additional egg yolks, and pure vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Layer bread slices meticulously in a wide, shallow container, ensuring complete coverage with the liquid mixture by gently pouring and pressing to saturate each slice uniformly.
- Seal the soaked bread tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours or preferably overnight, allowing bread to absorb the custard completely.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the french toast casserole.
- Melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then remove from heat source and vigorously whisk in dark brown sugar, light corn syrup, pure maple syrup, and roughly chopped pecans until a cohesive, glossy mixture forms.
- Distribute the pecan caramel mixture evenly across the bottom of a 3-quart (2.84-liter) casserole dish, creating a rich, nutty foundation.
- Carefully position the saturated bread slices atop the pecan caramel layer, ensuring complete coverage and an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown color and the custard sets completely.
- Allow the french toast to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the caramel to slightly solidify and flavors to meld before serving warm.
Notes
- Marinate bread overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tender texture.
- Ensure all bread slices are completely coated in the creamy egg mixture to prevent dry spots.
- Create a delicious pecan syrup base that caramelizes beautifully during baking for extra richness.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the syrup to set and become less runny.
- Use day-old bread or slightly stale bread for better liquid absorption and more structured French toast.
- Serve immediately for the best combination of crispy edges and gooey, sweet center.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 240 mg