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Bananas Foster French Toast Bake

My Bananas Foster French Toast Bake travels well after baking, plus it is great to serve on Christmas morning. It's simple to make, and most of the work is done the day before baking. Who doesn't love French toast and bananas Foster? Two great tastes combine for this must-make holiday favorite in my home.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 50 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine French
Servings 8 people
Calories 3720.8 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Pan Essential for baking this casserole-style dish.
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For whisking the egg and dairy custard mixture.
  • 1 Medium Mixing Bowl For preparing the Bananas Foster topping.
  • 1 Whisk To ensure a smooth and well-combined custard base.
  • 1 Plastic Wrap For covering the dish during its overnight refrigeration.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • cooking spray
  • 1 loaf French bread cut diagonally into 1-inch slices
  • 1 ½ cups half-and-half
  • 6 eggs slightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large bananas cut diagonally into 1/2-inch slices
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Instructions
 

  • Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange bread slices in baking pan in a single layer. Whisk half-and-half, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl; pour over bread slices. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Remove plastic wrap and top bread slices with bananas. Combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a bowl; drizzle over bread slices.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and set in the center, about 40 minutes.

Notes

For an elevated Bananas Foster flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of rum extract or a splash of dark rum (ensure it's safe for your audience) to the brown sugar topping mixture. Using day-old or slightly stale French bread, brioche, or challah will enhance absorption of the custard, yielding a richer texture. Ensure the bread is fully soaked overnight; this is crucial for the dish's moistness and flavor. Slice bananas uniformly for even cooking and to prevent them from becoming too mushy. Do not overbake; the center should be set but still yield slightly, indicating a perfectly custardy interior. Serve warm with a dusting of confectioners' sugar or a dollop of crème fraîche.