French Toast Bread Pudding: The Ultimate Brunch Classic

The Magic Mashup: French Toast Meets Bread Pudding

French toast bread pudding is the culinary equivalent of your favorite comfort foods having a delicious love child. This hybrid masterpiece marries the custardy richness of traditional bread pudding with the familiar warm spices of classic French toast, creating a dish that's greater than the sum of its already magnificent parts. Whether you're hosting a holiday brunch, preparing a special weekend breakfast, or craving a cozy dessert, this versatile creation delivers impressive results with surprisingly little effort.

Key Takeaways

• French toast bread pudding combines the creamy texture of bread pudding with the warm spices of classic French toast.
• This dish is a comforting fusion that elevates two beloved breakfast favorites into one.
• It is versatile enough to be served at holiday brunches, weekend breakfasts, or as a cozy dessert.
• The recipe is impressive in flavor yet requires surprisingly little effort to prepare.

What makes French toast bread pudding truly special is its forgiving nature. Unlike its more temperamental breakfast cousins (I'm looking at you, soufflé), this dish embraces imperfection. Day-old bread? Perfect! Need to prep ahead? Even better! Feeding a crowd? You're covered. It's the kitchen hero we all need—impressive enough for company but laid-back enough for a lazy Sunday morning.

At DI ORO, we believe the best recipes are ones that encourage creativity while delivering consistent results. Our test kitchen has perfected this dish through countless iterations, and we're excited to share our findings with fellow culinary adventurers like you.

Why You'll Love This Dish

Before we dive into the how-to, let's talk about why French toast bread pudding deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection:

• It's the ultimate make-ahead breakfast (prep the night before, bake in the morning)
• The hands-on time is minimal—most of the magic happens in the oven
• It scales beautifully for everything from intimate breakfasts to holiday gatherings
• The leftovers might taste even better than the original (if they last that long)
• It's endlessly customizable to suit your taste preferences and pantry inventory

Plus, there's something undeniably satisfying about transforming humble ingredients into something that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end brunch spot. That's kitchen alchemy at its finest!

The Bread Foundation: Choosing Your Base

Let's start with the star of the show: the bread. This isn't the time for that fresh loaf you just picked up—French toast bread pudding actually performs better with slightly stale bread that can soak up the custard without disintegrating into mush. Think of your bread as the sponge that will absorb all that vanilla-cinnamon goodness.

Best Bread Options

While you could technically use any bread in your French toast bread pudding, some varieties simply perform better than others. Here's our bread hierarchy, from good to absolutely magnificent:

• Brioche: With its buttery richness and tender crumb, brioche creates a decadent pudding that's almost cake-like in texture.
• Challah: This egg-enriched bread has a beautiful structure that holds up well to soaking while maintaining a light, airy quality. For a creative take, check out this challah french toast bread pudding recipe for inspiration.
• Texas Toast: Those thick slices create substantial chunks that retain their shape while soaking up maximum custard.
• French Bread: A crusty exterior and chewy interior create textural contrast in the finished dish.
• Cinnamon-Raisin Bread: For an extra flavor boost, this pre-flavored option adds built-in sweetness and spice.

Pro tip: If you're planning ahead, leave your bread out uncovered for a day before making your pudding. If you're working with fresh bread (we've all been there), you can speed up the staling process by cutting it into cubes and baking at 250°F for about 10 minutes—just enough to dry it out without toasting. If you want more expert tips on bread pudding basics, see this comprehensive bread pudding guide.

Custard Creation: The Flavor Foundation

The custard is where French toast bread pudding gets its soul. This silky mixture of eggs, dairy, sweeteners, and spices transforms plain bread into something magical. Getting the ratio right ensures your pudding will be neither too dry nor too soggy—just perfectly moist with a tender bite. For those looking to elevate their baking game, Insider Club offers exclusive tips and tested recipes to help you master this classic comfort dish with confidence.

The Perfect Custard Ratio

After extensive testing (and happy taste-testers), we've found the ideal custard formula for a standard 9x13 dish serving 8-10 people:

• 6-8 large eggs (more eggs = firmer structure)
• 2 cups whole milk (for richness and moisture)
• 1 cup heavy cream (creates that velvety mouthfeel)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar (balanced sweetness)
• ¼ cup brown sugar (adds depth and caramel notes)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (enhances richness)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (the aromatic foundation)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (the signature spice)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (enhances all other flavors)

This ratio creates what America's Test Kitchen might call the "Goldilocks zone" of custards—not too eggy, not too loose, but just right. The combination of milk and cream provides the perfect balance of richness without becoming heavy, while the two sugars work together to create complex sweetness rather than one-dimensional sugar flavor.

Flavor Customization

While the classic vanilla-cinnamon profile is timeless, French toast bread pudding is a willing canvas for creative flavor explorations:

• Warming Spices: Add nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice blend
• Citrus Brightness: Incorporate orange or lemon zest for a fresh dimension
• Adult Version: A splash of bourbon, rum, or Grand Marnier adds sophisticated depth
• Flavor Extracts: Almond, maple, or coconut extract can complement the vanilla

When whisking your custard, use DI ORO's award-winning Seamless Silicone Spatula to ensure every ingredient is perfectly incorporated without scratching your mixing bowl. The flexible edge lets you scrape every last bit of that precious custard mixture, while the forever-chemical-free silicone means you're keeping your food as clean as it is delicious. For an upgrade to your tool kit, consider the Designer 6-Piece Ultimate Spatula Turner Set for versatility in all your baking projects.

Assembly and Soaking: Building Flavor Layers

The assembly process is where patience pays off. While it might be tempting to rush, allowing proper soaking time is the difference between good and transcendent French toast bread pudding.

Layering Technique

Rather than simply dumping everything together, a thoughtful layering approach creates pockets of flavor and ensures even distribution of add-ins:

1. Generously butter your baking dish (a 9x13 is standard, but any 3-quart baking vessel works)
2. Arrange half your bread cubes in an even layer
3. Sprinkle with half of any add-ins (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips)
4. Pour about half the custard mixture evenly over the bread
5. Add remaining bread in an even layer
6. Pour remaining custard slowly, ensuring all bread pieces get moistened
7. Top with remaining add-ins

For the most even soaking, use the back of DI ORO's Silicone Spatula to gently press the bread into the custard. The flexible head distributes pressure evenly without crushing your bread cubes. America's Test Kitchen named our spatula the "Most Versatile Silicone Spatula on the Market" for good reason—it's perfect for delicate tasks like this! If you're looking for other must-have utensils, explore our kitchen utensils collection for more essentials like tongs.

Soaking Strategies

The soaking time is where you have flexibility based on your schedule:

• Quick Version (1 hour minimum): If you're short on time, an hour at room temperature will get the job done, though the center pieces may not fully absorb the custard.
• Standard Soak (2-3 hours): This gives ample time for absorption while still allowing same-day baking.
• Overnight Magic (8-12 hours): The gold standard! Assemble before bed, refrigerate overnight, and bake in the morning for the most evenly soaked, flavor-developed result.

If you're doing the overnight method (highly recommended), cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. The next morning, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while your oven preheats—this takes the chill off and promotes more even baking.

Add-in Inspiration

While perfectly delicious on its own, French toast bread pudding welcomes creative additions. Some of our test kitchen favorites include:

• Toasted pecans or walnuts (toast them first for maximum flavor)
• Fresh berries (blueberries and raspberries hold up well during baking)
• Diced apples tossed with cinnamon (pre-cook slightly for softer texture)
• Chocolate chips (use mini chips for more even distribution)
• Dried cranberries or cherries (soak in hot water first to plump them up)

The key is not to overload your pudding—about 1 to 1½ cups of add-ins total is perfect for a standard recipe. Too many additions can prevent proper custard absorption and throw off the texture balance. For more flavor inspiration, see this bread pudding recipe with creative mix-ins.

Baking to Perfection: The Transformation

The oven is where the magic happens—transforming your soaked bread mixture into a gloriously puffed, golden creation that bridges the gap between breakfast and dessert. French toast bread pudding follows a two-stage baking process that ensures a perfectly cooked interior and beautifully caramelized top.

Temperature and Timing

After testing multiple temperature variations, we've found that 325°F hits the sweet spot—hot enough to set the custard without scorching the top before the center cooks through. Here's the baking strategy that consistently delivers stellar results:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F with a rack positioned in the middle.
2. Cover your assembled pudding tightly with aluminum foil (this creates a steamy environment that helps cook the custard evenly).
3. Bake covered for 45 minutes—this gently cooks the interior without browning the top too quickly.
4. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 40-50 minutes until the pudding is puffed, set in the center, and gorgeously golden on top.

The total baking time of 85-95 minutes might seem long, but patience yields the perfect contrast between the crispy top and custardy interior that makes this dish irresistible. As America's Test Kitchen would confirm, shortcuts rarely yield superior results when it comes to custard-based dishes.

How to Tell When It's Done

Determining doneness can be tricky with custard dishes, but these visual and tactile cues will guide you:

• The top should be golden brown with some darker caramelized spots.
• The pudding will puff slightly during baking and should look set (not jiggly) in the center.
• A knife inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (no liquid custard).
• When gently pressed with the back of DI ORO's heat-resistant Silicone Spatula, the center should feel springy but firm.

Remember that the pudding will continue to set as it cools, so it's better to err on the side of slightly underbaking than overbaking, which can lead to dryness. Our forever-chemical-free silicone spatulas can handle the 325°F heat check without melting—something that can't be said for many kitchen tools!

Serving Suggestions: From Basic to Brilliant

While French toast bread pudding is glorious straight from the oven, a few thoughtful finishing touches can elevate it from homey comfort to restaurant-worthy indulgence. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility—it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Simple Toppings

For everyday enjoyment, these classic accompaniments never disappoint:

• Pure maple syrup: Warmed slightly and drizzled over individual servings
• Powdered sugar: A light dusting just before serving adds visual appeal and subtle sweetness
• Fresh berries: The bright acidity balances the rich custard beautifully
• Whipped cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream slowly melting into the warm pudding is pure bliss

For weekday mornings, we love the simplicity of a light dusting of cinnamon-sugar and a side of fresh fruit. It's easy enough for everyday enjoyment but still feels special.

Elevated Presentations

When you're hosting brunch or serving this as a dessert, these more elaborate presentations will wow your guests:

• Vanilla Bean Glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons cream or milk and the seeds from half a vanilla bean for a luxurious drizzle
• Bourbon Caramel Sauce: Store-bought caramel sauce spiked with a tablespoon of bourbon creates an instant upgrade
• Citrus Compote: Segmented oranges and grapefruit tossed with a touch of honey and mint make a refreshing counterpoint
• Brûléed Top: Sprinkle the baked pudding with a thin layer of sugar and use a kitchen torch to create a crackly caramelized crust

For holiday gatherings, we've found that offering a "toppings bar" with various syrups, sauces, fruits, and nuts allows guests to customize their serving while creating a memorable interactive element to your brunch spread. And if you're looking to serve a full brunch spread, you might enjoy our guide to choosing the perfect kitchen tongs for all your serving needs.

Serving Temperature

The ideal serving temperature depends on your preference and the occasion:

• Warm from the oven: The classic approach—let it rest 15 minutes after baking for the custard to set before slicing
• Room temperature: Allows the flavors to meld and makes for easier slicing for buffet-style service
• Chilled: When served cold with fresh berries, it transforms into a refreshing summer breakfast option
• Reheated: Individual portions can be warmed in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes or microwaved briefly

For serving, reach for DI ORO's Seamless Silicone Spatula to cut clean portions without scratching your baking dish. The flexible edge easily slides under each serving while the sturdy stainless steel core provides the support needed to lift even the most generously sized portions.

Troubleshooting and Tips: Kitchen Wisdom

Even with a foolproof recipe, variables like oven temperature, ingredient freshness, and humidity can affect your results. Here's how to address common challenges and elevate your French toast bread pudding game:

Common Issues and Solutions

If you encounter these situations, here's how to fix them:

• Too soggy in the center: Extend baking time by 10-15 minutes with foil loosely covering the top to prevent over-browning
• Too dry: Next time, increase the custard mixture by 25% or reduce baking time slightly
• Bread floating to the top: Press bread down more firmly during assembly and let soak longer before baking
• Uneven browning: Rotate your baking dish halfway through the uncovered baking period
• Custard leaking out: Your bread may be too fresh—try drying it more thoroughly next time

Remember, even "imperfect" French toast bread pudding is usually delicious! As we like to say at DI ORO, kitchen confidence comes from embracing the process, not just the perfect result. For more dairy-free breakfast inspiration, check out our post on coconut sorbet, the dairy-free dessert revolution.

Make-Ahead Strategies

French toast bread pudding is the ultimate make-ahead dish. Here's how to work it into various timelines:

• 1 day ahead: Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate. Bake as directed the next day, adding 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.
• 2-3 days ahead: Bake completely, cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat covered at 300°F for 20-30 minutes until warmed through.
• Freezer option: Bake, cool completely, portion, and freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

For busy holiday mornings, the overnight refrigeration method is particularly brilliant—you'll wake up to a ready-to-bake masterpiece that fills your home with irresistible aromas while you focus on coffee and conversation.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers (if you're lucky enough to have any) can be managed in several ways:

• Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days
• For individual portions, microwave for 30-45 seconds or until just warmed through
• For the whole dish, cover with foil and reheat in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes
• Add a small splash of milk before reheating if it seems dry

Pro tip: Leftover French toast bread pudding makes an incredible base for a quick bread pudding French toast (yes, you read that right!). Simply slice the cold pudding, dip in beaten egg, and pan-fry in butter for a meta breakfast experience that will blow your mind.

Dietary Adaptations: Inclusive Indulgence

One of the beauties of French toast bread pudding is how adaptable it is to various dietary needs without sacrificing flavor. With a few thoughtful substitutions, everyone at your table can enjoy this comforting classic.

Dairy-Free Variations

For those avoiding dairy, these swaps create a remarkably similar experience:

• Replace milk and cream with full-fat coconut milk, oat milk, or almond milk (coconut milk creates the richest result)
• Substitute coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative for the butter
• Use dairy-free chocolate chips if adding chocolate
• Top with coconut whipped cream instead of traditional whipped cream

The slight coconut flavor from coconut milk actually complements the vanilla and cinnamon beautifully, creating a variation that many of our recipe testers preferred to the original!

Gluten-Free Options

Gluten-free bread has come a long way, making this adaptation simpler than ever:

• Use a high-quality gluten-free bread (brioche-style works best)
• Allow slightly more soaking time as gluten-free bread often absorbs liquid more slowly
• Add an extra egg to help with binding since gluten-free breads can be more crumbly
• Verify that all other ingredients (vanilla extract, etc.) are certified gluten-free

When serving gluten-free guests, be sure to use DI ORO's Seamless Silicone Spatula, which is easy to clean thoroughly between uses, preventing cross-contamination that could occur with wooden utensils.

Our test kitchen has found that while the texture of gluten-free versions is slightly different, the flavor profile remains deliciously authentic—especially when you focus on the custard's flavor development with high-quality vanilla and freshly ground cinnamon.

Reduced-Sugar Adaptations

For those monitoring their sugar intake, French toast bread pudding can still be part of your breakfast rotation with these modifications:

• Reduce granulated sugar by up to half without significantly affecting texture
• Substitute monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or allulose for conventional sugars
• Use naturally sweet additions like ripe bananas or unsweetened applesauce to boost flavor
• Serve with fresh berries instead of syrup for natural sweetness
• Focus on enhancing spices (extra cinnamon, a touch of cardamom) to create flavor complexity without added sugar

When making reduced-sugar versions, we've found that using a more flavorful bread like brioche or challah helps maintain that indulgent quality even with less sweetness. The eggy richness compensates beautifully for the reduced sugar.

Creative Variations

Once you've mastered the basic recipe, the world of French toast bread pudding variations becomes your playground. These inspired twists keep this classic fresh and exciting:

• Banana Bread Pudding: Layer in sliced ripe bananas and add a handful of chocolate chips
• Apple-Cinnamon: Fold in sautéed cinnamon apples and top with a cider glaze
• Pumpkin Spice: Add ½ cup pumpkin purée to the custard along with pumpkin pie spice
• Lemon Blueberry: Add lemon zest to the custard and fold in fresh or frozen blueberries
• Chocolate Orange: Add orange zest and fold in chocolate chunks for a sophisticated flavor pairing
• Eggnog: Replace some of the milk with eggnog during the holiday season for a festive twist

The beauty of these variations is that they follow the same basic technique—only the flavoring agents change. Once you understand the foundation, your DI ORO spatula becomes the magic wand that helps you create endless delicious iterations. And if you ever need support with your tools, our warranty claim page makes it easy and hassle-free.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Breakfast

French toast bread pudding is more than just baked custard-soaked bread—it's comfort food at its finest. This dish seamlessly blends the best of breakfast and dessert, offering a rustic yet refined experience that works just as well for cozy family mornings as it does for elegant brunches. Its make-ahead nature makes it ideal for hosts who want to impress without stress.

With DI ORO’s award-winning silicone spatula—praised by America's Test Kitchen—simple tools become the secret to extraordinary results. Whether it's a lazy weekend breakfast or a festive holiday tradition, this dish turns everyday ingredients into lasting memories. So preheat that oven, stir with purpose, and let French toast bread pudding bring warmth and joy to your table.

Register Your Di Oro Product

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh bread?

While day-old or slightly stale bread is ideal because it absorbs the custard without falling apart, you can absolutely use fresh bread with a simple extra step. Just cube your fresh bread, spread it on a baking sheet, and toast it in a 250°F oven for about 10 minutes until it's dried out but not browned. This creates the perfect texture for soaking up all that delicious custard without turning mushy.

Why is my bread pudding soggy?

Sogginess usually comes down to one of three factors: the bread wasn't dry enough to start with, the custard-to-bread ratio was too high, or it needed more baking time. For your next attempt, try drying your bread more thoroughly, pressing it down firmly into the custard to encourage absorption, and extending the baking time by 10-15 minutes. Remember that the pudding will continue to set as it cools, so a slightly jiggly center (but not liquid) is perfect when you remove it from the oven.

Can I make individual portions?

Absolutely! Individual ramekins or muffin tins work beautifully for single-serving portions. Reduce the baking time to about 25-30 minutes covered and 15-20 minutes uncovered, watching carefully for doneness. DI ORO's Mini Spatulas are perfect for loosening the edges of these individual treats without scratching your bakeware. Bonus: individual portions develop more of those coveted crispy edges that everyone fights over!

What if I don't have heavy cream?

No heavy cream? No problem! While cream adds richness, you can substitute with all milk (preferably whole milk for best results), half-and-half, or even a non-dairy alternative like full-fat coconut milk. Each will create a slightly different texture and richness level, but the dish will still be delicious. Just remember that lower-fat options may result in a slightly less custardy final product.

Can I add alcohol to the recipe?

For an adult version, absolutely! Add 2-3 tablespoons of bourbon, rum, or Grand Marnier to the custard mixture. The alcohol will mostly cook out, leaving behind complex flavor notes that pair beautifully with the vanilla and cinnamon. For special occasions, you can also create a boozy sauce by simmering maple syrup with a splash of bourbon and a pat of butter until slightly thickened—it's an indulgent topping that elevates this dish to dinner party dessert status.

Register Your Di Oro Product