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–+ servings
Baked pumpkin spice French toast casserole with brown sugar pecan streusel and maple syrup

Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole

Decadent baked French toast casserole loaded with buttery cubed brioche bread soaked in rich pumpkin spiced custard, crowned with a crunchy caramelized brown sugar pecan streusel. Can be assembled the night before for an effortless autumn breakfast or holiday brunch!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 generous slices
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

Brioche Bread & Pumpkin Custard
  • 1 lb 450g loaf rich brioche bread (or challah), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup 100% pure canned pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie mix
  • 6 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
Crunchy Brown Sugar Pecan Streusel
  • 1 cup raw pecans roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter cold and cut into small cubes
Serving & Garnish
  • Warm pure maple syrup for drizzling
  • Freshly whipped cream or powdered sugar optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step Cooking Walkthrough
  1. Prep the Bread: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread cubed brioche across a large baking sheet and lightly bake for 10 minutes to dry out slightly. Let cool 5 minutes. Grease a 9x13-inch ceramic baking dish with butter and fill with the dried bread cubes.
  2. Whisk the Pumpkin Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin puree, whole milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until completely smooth and emulsified.
  3. Pour & Soak: Slowly pour the pumpkin custard evenly over the cubed bread in the prepared dish. Use a spatula to gently press the top bread cubes down so every piece absorbs the rich liquid. Let rest on the counter for 20 minutes (or cover tightly and refrigerate overnight for up to 14 hours).
  4. Mix the Pecan Streusel: In a small bowl, combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until crumbly and pea-sized clusters form.
  5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Increase oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the casserole and scatter the pecan streusel evenly over the top. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the center is set, puffed, and the streusel topping is deeply golden and fragrant.
  6. Rest & Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into generous squares. Serve warm drizzled generously with pure maple syrup and a cloud of fresh whipped cream!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 10gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 5200IUVitamin C: 3.2mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 2.6mg

Notes

Chef Secret: Toasting your cubed brioche bread in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes dries out the crumbs without browning them. This allows the bread to drink in maximum pumpkin custard without turning soggy or mushy during baking!

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