Description

Cubes of slightly stale bread soaked overnight in a cinnamon-vanilla egg custard and baked in a 9-by-13-inch dish.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound Slightly stale brioche or challah, cut into approximately 1-inch cubes
8 whole Large eggs
2 cups Whole milk
1/2 cup Heavy cream
1/2 cup Packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Fine salt
1 tablespoon Unsalted butter for greasing the dish

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Instructions

Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and add the approximately 1-inch bread cubes in an even layer.
Whisk eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt until the sugar is dispersed. Pour evenly over the bread, pressing gently so the top pieces contact the custard.
Cover and refrigerate promptly for at least 8 hours and no more than 24 hours before cooking; follow cold-holding guidance for the raw egg mixture. The working preferred window is 8 to 12 hours and must be tested for the chosen bread.
Heat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator while the oven preheats only as needed to prepare for baking; do not leave it sitting out. Bake uncovered approximately 45 to 55 minutes, tenting if the top darkens before the center cooks. Use a clean thermometer at several center points, avoiding the pan, to verify at least 165 F (74 C) for this casserole.
Rest 10 minutes, then divide into 12 portions and serve. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat them to 165 F (74 C).

Notes

Recipe-development draft; not kitchen-tested. Timing and yield are estimates. Nutrition has not been calculated.

Additional chilling, resting or cooling time: 490 minutes, included in the total.

Minimum development estimate: 8 hours refrigerated soaking plus 10 minutes resting; a 12-hour soak would add 4 hours. Bake time and absorption depend on bread and pan; do not leave raw egg mixture at room temperature.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chilling, resting or cooling: 490 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: One twelfth of the baked 9-by-13-inch casserole