Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole is a delicious and decadent breakfast or brunch dish that impresses your family and friends.

The casserole is an exceptional combination of soft, fluffy bread soaked in a rich, flavorful custard mixture, all baked to a golden perfection.

In this recipe, the key to a delectable baked French toast casserole lies in the quality of ingredients and the right cooking technique.

By using challah bread, fresh orange zest, and a bit of honey, you infuse the dish with a unique touch.

How to Make Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole

Ingredients List

To make Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 loaf of 1-inch-diced day-old challah bread
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon butter

Step-by-step Process

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

Step 2:

Grease your baking dish with a tablespoon of butter.

Use a 9x13x2-inch oval baking dish.

You can also use a similar-sized rectangular dish.

Step 3:

Prepare the bread slices. Dice the day-old challah bread into 1-inch pieces and arrange them evenly in the buttered baking dish.

Step 4:

Mix the custard. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, honey, orange zest (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

This mixture creates the essential egg mixture for your French toast casserole.

Step 5:

Combine and soak.

Carefully pour the egg mixture over the challah bread, ensuring that all pieces are well-coated.

Allow the bread to soak for about 10 minutes to absorb the custard properly.

Step 6:

Add to a water bath to cook evenly and prevent the edges from burning; place your soaked casserole dish into a larger roasting pan and pour hot water into the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the baking dish.

Step 7:

Bake the casserole

Place the entire setup into your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.

1. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the casserole during the last few minutes.
2. Serve: After careful removal from the oven, allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes. 
3. Then, serve your delicious Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.
4. Enjoy!

Side Dishes for Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole

While enjoying the delectable taste of Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole, you may want to complement the flavors with delicious side dishes.

Here are some scrumptious options to consider.

Roasted Vegetables

Adding roasted vegetables to your breakfast table creates a colorful and nutritious accompaniment to your French toast casserole.

Seasoned with your favorite herbs, drizzled with a bit of vegetable oil, and roasted until tender, vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus help balance out the sweetness of the casserole and provide essential nutrients.

Fresh Bread

Serving freshly baked bread alongside your French toast casserole adds a delightful contrast in texture and taste.

Choose crusty, rustic bread or soft, fluffy rolls to provide your guests with options for spreading butter or jams.

The savory or tangy flavors from the bread pair well with the rich, custardy texture of the casserole.

Fruit Salad

A vibrant fruit salad not only adds visual appeal and freshness to your breakfast table but also pairs beautifully with the rich and sweet flavors of the French toast casserole.

Create a mixture of seasonal fruits like berries, melons, and citrus fruits to offer a refreshing and sweet side dish that can be a healthy addition to your meal.

Remember to keep your side dishes simple, complementing the main star of your breakfast, the Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole.

Experiment with a variety of options to find the perfect combinations that suit your taste buds and feel confident in your ability to create a memorable and delicious meal.

Ingredients Substitutes

Vanilla Extract

If you don’t have vanilla extract on hand, you can use an equal amount of maple syrup as a substitute.

It will give your dish a slightly different, but still delicious, flavor profile.

Maple Syrup

When you’re out of maple syrup, you can use honey or agave nectar as a replacement.

Alternatively, you can use a mixture of brown sugar and water to create a syrup-like consistency.

Unsalted Butter

If you don’t have unsalted butter handy, you can use salted butter and reduce the amount of kosher salt in the recipe.

Keep in mind that salted butter has a higher water content, so your dish’s texture might slightly differ.

Kosher Salt

You can use table salt as a substitute for kosher salt, but remember that it has a stronger taste.

To avoid over-salting your dish, use about half the amount of table salt compared to the recipe’s amount of kosher salt.

Types of Bread

Challah bread is the preferred choice for the recipe, but if it’s not available, you can use brioche, sourdough, or even sturdy white bread.

Just be sure the bread is a day old, which helps it better absorb the egg mixture.

How to Store Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole

Storing your Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole is key to preserving the taste and texture of this delicious breakfast dish.

Here are some guidelines on how to store your casserole effectively.

Refrigerating the casserole

You can store your freshly baked casserole in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To do so, make sure the casserole has cooled to room temperature first.

Then, place a sheet of aluminum foil over the top of the baking dish or transfer the casserole to an airtight container before placing it in the refrigerator.

The foil or airtight container will help to prevent moisture loss and maintain the quality of the dish.

Freezing the casserole

If you would like to store your casserole for later use, you have the option to freeze it.

Firstly, ensure that the casserole is completely cooled.

Next, you can either slice the casserole into individual portions or freeze it whole.

Wrap each portion or the entire casserole tightly with aluminum foil, making sure to seal any edges.

For added protection, place the wrapped casserole(s) inside a freezer-safe bag, pushing out any excess air before sealing.

Label and date the bag, and then store it in your freezer for up to two months.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when preparing Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole.

Using the Wrong Baking Dish

Select the right baking dish when preparing your baked French toast casserole.

A 9×13-inch dish works best for this recipe, allowing the challah bread to soak up the egg mixture evenly.

Using a too-large or too-small dish can result in improperly cooked French toast, causing it to be too dry or too soggy.

Bread Choice Matters

The type of bread you choose has a significant impact on the final dish.

Challah, brioche, or crusty French bread are ideal choices for their absorbent properties and rich flavor.

Avoid using fresh bread, as day-old bread is preferable for better absorption of the egg mixture.

Fresh bread risks becoming too soggy and falling apart during the cooking process.

Bread Slicing and Arrangement

Properly preparing your bread is crucial for a successful baked French toast casserole.

Slice the challah loaf into ¾-inch thick slices, ensuring a consistent thickness for even cooking.

Arrange the bread slices in the baking dish with minimal space in between and avoid overlapping the slices, as it can lead to uneven cooking.

Don’t Rush The Soaking Process

Allowing the bread to thoroughly soak up the egg mixture is essential for a tender, custard-like texture in your baked French toast.

Skipping or rushing this step can lead to dry, underwhelming results.

Give the bread ample time to absorb the egg mixture.

Ideally, this should take 10 minutes or a little longer, if needed, until the bread has absorbed a significant amount of the mixture.

Monitoring The Sugar Content

Excessive sugar can affect not only the taste but also the texture of your French toast casserole.

Be mindful of the amount of sugar in both the custard mixture and any toppings you might use.

Using too much sugar can overpower the dish’s subtle flavors and cause your French toast to become soggy.