King Cake French Toast Bake (Print Version)

A festive bake with cinnamon-swirl brioche soaked in custard, finished with vibrant icing and sprinkles.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread and Custard

01 - 1 large loaf brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 16 oz)
02 - 6 large eggs
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
09 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Filling

11 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - ⅓ cup powdered sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest

→ Topping

14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Icing and Decoration

17 - 1 cup powdered sugar
18 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
19 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
20 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars or sprinkles for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and lemon zest until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer or whisk.
03 - Arrange half the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture over the bread layer. Top with remaining bread cubes.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until thoroughly combined.
05 - Pour the custard evenly over the bread mixture, pressing down gently to ensure even saturation. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
06 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature while the oven reaches temperature.
07 - In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
08 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes until the surface is puffed and golden brown.
09 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before decorating.
10 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the icing over the warm casserole. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in festive stripes.
11 - Serve warm, optionally accompanied with fresh berries or whipped cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You prep it the night before, which means you actually get to enjoy your guests instead of juggling pans.
  • It tastes indulgent and special but comes together with everyday ingredients and zero fussy techniques.
  • The cream cheese filling adds a subtle richness that makes people ask for the recipe before they've finished eating.
02 -
  • Don't skip the overnight soak; it's not just for convenience—the bread needs those hours to absorb custard so it becomes tender instead of soggy or dry.
  • Your oven temperature matters more here than with most breakfast dishes; too hot and the edges burn before the center sets, too cool and it stays custardy in the middle.
03 -
  • Cut your bread into cubes the day before and let them sit uncovered in a bowl overnight; slightly stale bread absorbs custard more evenly than fresh bread.
  • If your cream cheese filling is too thick to spread, add a tablespoon of milk and beat again; it should be soft enough to dollop but still hold its shape.
Go Back