Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 8 Servings

This is how you do French toast during prime pumpkin season (aka right now!). It’s a sweet, seasonal breakfast casserole for a crowd and powerful enough to win over the most ardent pumpkin spice critic. Thick cubes of buttery brioche are soaked overnight and infused with rich custard packed with warm spices and a double dose of pumpkin. Then it’s dotted with a crunchy brown sugar and pecan streusel that takes it over the top

Ingredients

Unsalted butter
1 day-old loaf brioche (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch pieces
6 large eggs
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup pumpkin purée
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar (optional)
Maple syrup, for serving (optional)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Make the casserole: Generously coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter. Place the bread cubes evenly in the dish and set aside.
Place the eggs in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Whisk in the half-and-half, pumpkin, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt. Evenly pour the custard over the bread. Use a spoon to push the bread down and stir so all the cubes are soaked through. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while the oven is heating. Meanwhile, make the crumb topping.
Make the crumb topping: Stir the flour, sugar, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the butter and stir until big, slightly floury crumbs form.
Sprinkle the crumb topping over the casserole. Bake uncovered until the casserole is set, puffed, and the top is golden-brown, 40 to 45 minutes.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool for at least 5 minutes. Right before serving, dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm with maple syrup if desired.