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Easy Pumpkin Spice French Toast Bake: Best Kid-Approved Recipe

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This Easy Pumpkin Spice French Toast Bake is a foolproof, kid-approved breakfast casserole that combines day-old bread with a creamy pumpkin custard and a buttery streusel topping. Perfect for busy mornings or holiday brunches, it’s a budget-friendly, make-ahead dish that fills your home with warm fall flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf day-old bread (about 12–14 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • Pinch of salt
  • Maple syrup, for serving
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
  • Whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Cube the bread into 1-inch pieces (about 8-10 cups) and spread evenly in the prepared dish.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until light and frothy, about 30 seconds. Add the pumpkin puree, milk, granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
  4. Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press the bread down with a spatula or your hands to ensure all pieces are coated. Let sit for 10-15 minutes (or cover and refrigerate overnight).
  5. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt. Add the cold butter cubes and cut in with a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces.
  6. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the soaked bread.
  7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set but slightly jiggly.
  9. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  10. Serve warm with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or whipped cream.

Notes

For best results, use day-old bread. If using fresh bread, cube and dry in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. Let the bread soak for at least 10 minutes before baking. For a make-ahead option, assemble the night before and refrigerate. The bake can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin spice, French toast bake, breakfast casserole, kid-friendly, fall recipe, make-ahead, easy breakfast

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-pumpkin-spice-french-toast-bake-best-kid-approved-recipe/