This Peach Cobbler French Toast Bake is the ultimate fusion of two breakfast and dessert favorites! It delivers the comforting, spongy texture of French toast casserole combined with the warm, buttery crunch of a peach cobbler topping. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for holiday mornings, special brunches, or simply elevating your weekend breakfast.
It’s an irresistible, sliceable baked casserole featuring soft bread soaked in a sweet custard, layered with tender peaches, and finished with a rich, streusel-like crumble topping.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, warmly spiced, and fruity. The dish gets its main flavor from fresh or canned peaches, complemented by rich butter and vanilla, with a satisfying hint of caramelized sugar on top.
- Textures: Luxurious and multi-layered. Expect a custardy, moist interior from the French toast base, soft bursts of peach, and a crisp, golden-brown cobbler topping.
- Time Commitment: Requires only about 15 minutes of active preparation time, followed by a mandatory chill time of at least 2-3 hours, or ideally, overnight. Bake time is 30-35 minutes.
- Difficulty Level: Easy. This recipe is simple enough for novice bakers, involving basic whisking, layering, and a short baking time.
What You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples divided into the bread base, the sweet egg custard, the juicy peach layer, and the homemade crumble topping. You will primarily need a medium bowl for mixing the custard and a 9×9 inch or 2-quart baking dish for assembly and baking.
Ingredient Notes
- French Bread – Using thick-cut French bread (or a similar hearty loaf like brioche) ensures the bread cubes hold their shape and don’t turn mushy after soaking up the custard. You need about 230 grams or 1/2 lb.
- Milk – Whole milk provides the richest flavor and best texture for the custard base, but you can substitute with any milk you have on hand.
- Peaches – You can use either fresh, sliced peaches when they are in season, or high-quality canned peaches. If using canned, make sure they are well-drained to avoid adding excess liquid to the custard.
- Butter – Melted butter is crucial for creating that authentic, crumbly texture in the cobbler topping.
Add-ins and Substitutions
Want to customize your Peach Cobbler French Toast Bake? Try these simple variations:
- Add Spice: Incorporate 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the cobbler topping mixture for a warmer, richer flavor profile.
- Different Fruit: Swap out the peaches for other soft fruits like sliced plums, berries, or even apples (though apples may require a slightly longer bake time to soften).
- Richness: For an even richer custard, substitute 1/2 cup of the milk with heavy cream.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use thick slices of gluten-free bread in place of the French bread, maintaining the same weight measurement.
How to Make Peach Cobbler French Toast Bake
The secret to this easy breakfast bake is the overnight chill time, which allows the bread to fully absorb the sweet custard, ensuring a moist and creamy interior when baked.
- Prep the Pan and Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×9 inch casserole dish (or 2-quart baking dish) with nonstick cooking spray. Distribute the cubed French bread slices evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Make and Pour Custard: In a medium bowl, use a whisk to combine the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until well-blended. Carefully pour this custard mixture over the top of the bread cubes in the casserole dish. Gently press the bread cubes down into the liquid so they begin to soak it up.
- Add Fruit and Chill: Top the soaked bread with a single, even layer of the sliced peaches. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and set it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 to 3 hours, or preferably, overnight.
- Prepare Topping: For the cobbler topping, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour with a spoon until the mixture is uniform and crumbly.
- Bake Until Set: When ready to bake, uncover the chilled casserole and sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the surface. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes. The bake is complete when the center is completely set (no jiggle) and the cobbler topping is a crisp, golden-brown color.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm, perhaps with a drizzle of syrup if desired.
Pro Tip: Do not skip the chilling time! A minimum of 2-3 hours (and ideally overnight) is essential. This allows the cubed bread to fully absorb the liquid, ensuring the resulting bake is soft, custardy, and doesn’t dry out during cooking.
Recipe Tips
- Doneness Check: To confirm the French toast bake is completely set, insert a small, thin knife or toothpick into the center. If it comes out mostly clean, the bake is ready. If it’s still very wet, bake for a few more minutes.
- Prevent Burning the Topping: If your cobbler topping is browning too quickly before the center is cooked, loosely cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Cut Your Bread Thick: When cubing the French bread, aim for generous, thick chunks. Thin bread will become too saturated during the chill and turn soggy, while thick pieces will retain a nice structure.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate more smoothly into the milk mixture, resulting in a more uniform custard base.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen peaches? A: Yes, you can use frozen sliced peaches. However, you must thaw them completely and drain them very well, squeezing out any excess liquid, to prevent your French toast custard from becoming watery.
Q: How do I store leftovers? A: Store any leftover French Toast Bake, covered tightly, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat the bake? A: The best way to reheat is in the oven or a toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. This helps keep the cobbler topping crisp, whereas the microwave can make the topping soft.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is a satisfying and complete breakfast on its own, but here are some ideas for accompanying dishes and toppings:
- A dollop of Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream (if serving as dessert).
- A side of Crispy Bacon or Sausage for a savory counterpoint.
- A light drizzle of Maple Syrup or Honey.
- Fresh berries like Raspberries or Blueberries sprinkled on top for color and tartness.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This is truly a perfect make-ahead recipe! The entire casserole can be assembled bread, custard, and peaches band refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Keep the cobbler topping stored separately in a small container at room temperature. Sprinkle the topping on right before placing the dish into the preheated oven.
Peach Cobbler French Toast Bake (Overnight Casserole)
- Total Time: 50 minutes (plus 3+ hours chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Peach Cobbler French Toast Bake is the ultimate fusion of two breakfast and dessert favorites! It delivers the comforting, spongy texture of French toast casserole combined with the warm, buttery crunch of a peach cobbler topping. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for holiday mornings, special brunches, or simply elevating your weekend breakfast with its sweet, warmly spiced flavor and irresistible multi-layered texture.
Ingredients
French Toast Base
- 8 thick slices of French bread, cubed (about 1/2 lb or 230 grams)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
- 2 cups sliced peaches, fresh or canned, drained
Cobbler Topping
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Bread and Custard
Lightly spray a 9×9 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Distribute the cubed French bread slices evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until well-blended. Carefully pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, gently pressing the bread down to help it soak up the liquid.
Step 2: Add Fruit and Chill
Top the soaked bread with a single, even layer of the sliced peaches. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and set it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 to 3 hours, or preferably, overnight. (Do not skip this step!)
Step 3: Prepare the Topping and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour for the cobbler topping. Mix with a spoon until the mixture is uniform and forms a coarse crumble.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
Uncover the chilled casserole and sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the surface of the peaches. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes. The bake is complete when the center is completely set (no jiggle) and the cobbler topping is a crisp, golden-brown color.
Step 5: Serve
Remove the French Toast Bake from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving warm, with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
Custom Spice: For a warmer flavor, incorporate 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the cobbler topping mixture.
Make it Ahead: The entire casserole can be assembled (bread, custard, and peaches) and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Keep the cobbler topping stored separately at room temperature and sprinkle it on right before baking.
Reheating Leftovers: The best way to reheat leftovers is in the oven or a toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. This keeps the cobbler topping crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking, Casserole
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 386
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 369mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 133mg
Keywords: peach cobbler, french toast bake, overnight breakfast casserole, peach breakfast, make-ahead brunch
