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barefoot contessa baked french toast casserole recipe

Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

This delightful recipe is created by Ina Garten, a popular television host and cookbook author known for her scrumptious and easy-to-make dishes.
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.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine French
Servings 6
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
Instructions
 
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • 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.
  • Prepare the bread slices Dice the day-old challah bread into 1-inch pieces and arrange them evenly in the buttered baking dish.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
    The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the casserole during the last few minutes.
    Serve: After careful removal from the oven, allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes.
    Then, serve your delicious Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.
    Enjoy!
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