Introduction
Indulging in a leisurely brunch at home is one of life’s simple pleasures, and Martha Stewart's oven-baked French toast makes it even more delightful. This recipe combines ease and elegance, allowing you to serve your guests a delicious twist on the classic breakfast dish without spending all morning in the kitchen.
Imagine the aroma of vanilla and cinnamon filling your home as this French toast bakes to golden perfection. With minimal effort, you can create a stunning centerpiece for your brunch table that is both comforting and sophisticated. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy yet elegant delight!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread, sliced thick
Using brioche or challah adds a rich flavor and soft texture that soaks up the custard beautifully. Their slightly sweet base complements the cinnamon and vanilla perfectly. - 6 large eggs
Eggs are key to creating a custard-like mixture that binds the bread slices together, providing structure and richness to the dish. - 2 cups whole milk
Whole milk enhances the creaminess of the custard, making each bite indulgent and velvety. The fat content in whole milk ensures the French toast doesn’t dry out during baking. - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth, enhancing the overall flavor and creating a more indulgent experience with every slice. - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Ground cinnamon provides that classic flavor profile associated with French toast, infusing each slice with a warm, cozy aroma that is particularly pleasing. - 1/4 cup maple syrup
Maple syrup sweetens the custard and complements the dish beautifully. It’s also perfect as a topping once the French toast is baked. - 1/4 teaspoon salt
Salt enhances all the flavors, ensuring that none are overly dominant. It's a crucial component in balancing the sweetness of the dish. - Powdered sugar, for dusting
A light dusting of powdered sugar adds an elegant touch and a hint of sweetness that looks lovely on the final dish.
Directions & Preparation
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Preheating the oven is essential for ensuring even cooking. By starting with a hot oven, you'll help the French toast bake evenly throughout, giving it a lovely golden color on the outside while remaining fluffy inside.
Step 2: Prepare a baking dish by greasing it lightly with butter.
Greasing the baking dish is crucial to prevent the French toast from sticking, allowing you to slice and serve it easily. Butter also adds an extra layer of richness to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and maple syrup until well combined.
Whisking the ingredients together thoroughly ensures that the eggs are well blended into the custard, creating a uniform mixture that will soak into the bread evenly. This step is vital for achieving the perfect texture and flavor.
Step 4: Arrange the bread slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Placing the bread in a single layer allows for maximum custard absorption. This is key because each slice should soak up just enough liquid to be custardy without becoming overly soggy.
Step 5: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring they are completely coated.
Pouring the custard slowly over the bread ensures that each slice is soaked adequately. Drenching the bread allows for a rich texture, but make sure to avoid soggy spots; the goal is a delightful meld of custard and baked bread.
Step 6: Cover the baking dish with foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
Letting the dish sit allows the bread to absorb the custard fully, which enhances the flavors and textures. An overnight soak is ideal for a leisurely brunch, but if you're short on time, 30 minutes will suffice.
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes until golden.
Baking with foil helps the French toast cook evenly without browning too quickly. Removing it later lets the top crisp up beautifully, resulting in a texture that contrasts the soft custard-soaked bread beneath.
Step 8: Let cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar and serving with additional maple syrup.
Allowing the French toast to cool for a few minutes before serving enhances the eating experience by ensuring it holds together nicely when cut. The powdered sugar adds an elegant finish, making the dish visually appealing and inviting.
Transforming Leftover Bread into Blissful Breakfasts
One of the best aspects of Martha Stewart’s oven-baked French toast is that it’s an excellent way to use up leftover bread. Tired of stale slices sitting on the counter? Use them for this recipe! The soaking process revitalizes the bread, producing a dish that's not only delicious but also resourceful—perfect for the environmentally-conscious cook.
Customizing Your French Toast: Add-Ins and Variations
While this recipe is delightful on its own, there’s plenty of room for creativity. Consider adding fresh fruits like blueberries or sliced bananas into the custard mixture or the layers of bread before pouring the egg mixture. A sprinkle of nutmeg or the addition of a splash of orange zest can also elevate the dish, allowing it to reflect your personal taste preferences.
Pairing Suggestions to Elevate Your Brunch Experience
To complement this oven-baked French toast at your brunch, consider serving it alongside crispy bacon or savory sausage. A fresh fruit salad adds a refreshing note that balances the richness of the French toast. Offering a selection of spreads like flavored cream cheese or yogurt can also enhance the experience, making your brunch not just a meal, but a celebration.
FAQs
What should I do if my custard mixture is too thick?
If your custard mixture seems too thick, add a little more milk, a few tablespoons at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency for pouring.
Can I use a different type of bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! While brioche and challah are ideal, you can use any bread you have on hand, such as sourdough or even whole grain, for added flavor and texture.
Why does my French toast puff up while baking?
The baking process causes steam to build between the layers of soaked bread, leading to a light and airy texture. This is a normal result and indicates that the custard has successfully infused the bread.
What if my French toast comes out too dry?
If your French toast is dry, it could be due to insufficient soaking time in the custard. Next time, ensure the bread soaks adequately in the mixture.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips for a fun twist?
Definitely! You can sprinkle chopped nuts or chocolate chips over the bread before adding the custard. This will add a delightful crunch or sweetness to each bite.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the dish?
To adjust the sweetness, simply modify the amount of maple syrup in the custard mixture to suit your preference, adding more or less as needed.
Conclusion
Martha Stewart’s oven-baked French toast is not only a delightful treat but also a versatile choice for any brunch gathering. With minimal fuss and maximum flavor, this recipe promises to be a showstopper on your brunch table.
So gather your ingredients, invite some friends over, and get ready to enjoy a sweet and sophisticated brunch experience that everyone will rave about!
Recipe Card
Delightful Mini Pecan Pies for Your Festive Table
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter chilled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the pie crust by combining flour, butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- Add cold water gradually, mixing until the dough holds together.
- Roll out the dough and cut it into circles to fit mini pie pans.
- Fit the dough circles into the mini pie pans and chill for about 15 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine pecans, corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour the filling into the prepared crusts, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden.
- Let the mini pecan pies cool before serving.
Notes
Additional serving suggestions: pair with a crisp salad, garlic bread, or roasted seasonal vegetables for balance.
For make-ahead, prep components separately and assemble just before heating to preserve texture.
Taste and adjust with acid (lemon/vinegar) and salt right at the end to wake up flavors.
