Citrus Nut French Toast Casserole
Indulge in a delightful Citrus Nut French Toast Casserole, perfect for a weekend brunch. This oven-baked dish combines layers of stale bread with a zesty orange marmalade and a crunchy nut topping. Prepare it the night before, letting the flavors meld overnight, and simply bake in the morning for a hot, comforting breakfast. The balance of sweet and savory, with a hint of warm spices and citrus, will impress your family and friends. Be sure not to skip the nuts as they add a delightful contrast in texture to this cozy dish.
8-10
Servings
437.5
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bread
20-25 slices (about 1-inch thick, must be stale but not hard)
Butter
as needed (softened)
Orange Marmalade
12 oz jar (room temperature)
Full-fat Milk
2 3/4 cups
Sugar
1/3-1/2 cup
Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons
Ground Nutmeg
1/8-1/4 teaspoon
Eggs
6 large
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
Sugar
1-2 tablespoons
Chopped Walnuts or Pecans
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
Instructions
1
Generously butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2
Lightly spread softened butter on each slice of stale bread.
3
Place 12 bread slices, buttered-side down, in the prepared dish, overlapping them slightly to form a single layer.
4
Evenly spread the room temperature orange marmalade over the bread slices, ensuring full coverage.
5
Layer the remaining bread slices on top, buttered-side down, creating a second layer.
6
In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and eggs until fully combined and smooth.
7
Carefully pour the milk and egg mixture over the layered bread slices, ensuring all pieces are well soaked.
8
Cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours to allow the bread to absorb the flavors.
9
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) when ready to bake.
10
In a small bowl, combine 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts.
11
Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar nut mixture evenly over the top layer of bread to create a crunchy topping.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and set. The center should not jiggle when moved.
13
Remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
14
Optionally, sprinkle additional chopped nuts over the top for extra texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
52.5g
Carbs
9.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus Nut French Toast Casserole?
It is an oven-baked breakfast dish featuring layers of stale bread, orange marmalade, and a crunchy nut topping, perfect for brunch.
What kind of bread is best for this recipe?
Use 20-25 slices of bread, approximately 1-inch thick, that is stale but not hard.
Why must the bread be stale?
Stale bread absorbs the milk and egg custard mixture better without becoming overly soggy.
How much orange marmalade is required?
The recipe calls for one 12 oz jar of room temperature orange marmalade.
Can I use different types of nuts?
Yes, you can use either finely chopped walnuts or pecans for the topping.
How long should the casserole refrigerate before baking?
The dish should be refrigerated for 8 to 24 hours to allow the bread to fully absorb the flavors.
What is the baking temperature?
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking the casserole.
How long does it take to bake?
Baking typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes until it is golden brown and set.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 to 10 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 437.5 calories.
What spices are used in the custard?
The custard mixture includes ground nutmeg and vanilla extract for flavor.
Should the baking dish be prepared beforehand?
Yes, generously butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish to prevent the casserole from sticking.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe requires 6 large eggs for the custard base.
What type of milk is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 2 3/4 cups of full-fat milk for a rich texture.
Can I skip the nuts?
While you can skip them, nuts are recommended to provide a delightful contrast in texture.
How long should the dish stand after baking?
Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
What is in the crunchy topping?
The topping is made from a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and finely chopped nuts.
How is the bread prepared for layering?
Lightly spread softened butter on each slice of bread before placing them in the dish.
Can I add extra nuts at the end?
Yes, you can optionally sprinkle additional chopped nuts over the top for extra texture and flavor.
How many layers of bread are in the casserole?
There are two layers of bread, with marmalade spread between the first and second layers.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including bread, butter, marmalade, milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, eggs, cinnamon, and nuts.
Should the marmalade be cold?
No, it should be at room temperature so that it spreads evenly over the bread.
How do I know the casserole is finished baking?
The casserole is done when it is golden brown and the center does not jiggle when moved.
Is this a good recipe for a weekend brunch?
Yes, it is specifically described as being perfect for a weekend brunch.
What size baking dish is required?
A standard 13 x 9-inch baking dish is required for this recipe.
How much sugar is added to the custard?
The custard uses between 1/3 and 1/2 cup of sugar.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 20g of fat.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides about 9.4g of protein.
What are the carbohydrates per serving?
There are approximately 52.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can this be prepared the morning of the meal?
While it can be refrigerated for as little as 8 hours, it is best prepared the night before.