Gluten Free Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole a delicious, clean, healthier version of the classic breakfast recipe that the whole family will love. Made with Cinnamon Raisin Gluten free bread, eggs, unsweetened coconut milk, and nutmeg and topped with a dollop of cream and maple syrup. DELICIOUS!
I have been listening to Michele Buble Christmas.
I absolutely love his voice. My husband and I saw him in concert several years ago, and we had a blast. He was so entertaining and told stories about his life and family. He was very relatable and seems like a real good guy. Fame has not gone to his head and it seems like his feet are firmly on the ground, which makes him all the more likable.
But when you hear him sing he seems bigger than life. That voice!
Music really gets me in the mood for the holidays.
When I was younger my Mom would put on records in the living room, because the big fancy record player was in the living room, and we would wrap presents and eat Christmas cookies.
I still like to listen to Christmas music when wrapping presents, and I like eating Christmas cookies… pretty much all the time, but defintiely while listening to music.
This French Toast casserole is the perfect way to wake up Christmas morning or New Years Day. You can prep the day before and throw together and bake in the morning, and no one will know that this is gluten-free, or will they care, because all they will be doing is asking for seconds.
Typically french toast casseroles are assembled into a baking pan in layers and set overnight. The problem that I find is that the center of the casserole always ends up soft and sloppy. I believe this happens because the bread along the edges does not soak up as much of the egg-milk mixture as the bread in the center. Which leaves you with a crust edged soggy center french toast casserole.
Ain’t nobody wants that!
I decided to let the bread soak in a single layer on a baking sheet overnight and then assemble into the baking pan right before I needed to bake and serve.
This ensures that every piece of bread gets an even soak in the egg-milk mix and then you get an evenly cooked french toast casserole. Meaning even the center gets gobbled up and you are left with nothing but an empty pan and a few scraps.
I highly recommend letting this sit in the fridge for as long as you can. I always let it go over night. Letting it sit for an extended time guarantees that your bread has enough time to soak up as much egg-milk mixture as possible. For any mixture, that is not absorbed, pour this over top of the bread after you place it into the baking sheet to ensure all that yummy goodness gets baked into the casserole.
Know that the Coconut Sugar and butter mix likes to try and separate. Just continue whisking and do you best to spread evenly on the bottom of the pan and again on the top of the bread mix. I used an offset spatula to spread the mix on top if you do not own an offset spatula just use the back of a spoon or a butter knife to help spread it evenly.
Let me know if you make this gluten free creme brulee french toast casserole. Share your photos by tagging @ahealthylifefor me on Instagram or Twitter.
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Gluten Free Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 5 large eggs
- 2 ¼ cups unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ cup coconut cream
- 3 tablespoons orange juice or cold pressed orange juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 loaf gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread cut into 1"-1 1/2" cubes
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- Coconut whipped cream or regular whipped cream {optional}
- Pure maple syrup {optional}
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, coconut milk, coconut cream, orange juice, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt. Spread bread out in 1 layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.{Make sure this will fit in your refrigertor}
- Pour egg-milk mixture over bread, cover with plastic wrap, press down to ensure all bread is into the egg-milk mixture and let soak in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
- When you are ready to bake heat oven to 375° F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut sugar and butter. This will continue to try and separate don't fret just spread
- Pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 13 x 9 baking pan. using your hands to gently press down into the pan.
- Pour the rest of the coconut sugar-butter mixture over top and using an offset spatula or butter knife spread evenly to coat.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and sugar is bubbling.
- Serve immediately while still hot.
- Top with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or regular whipped cream and a drizzle of maple syrup
Categories:
Steps 5 says to pour half the mix into the pan and press it into the bottom then 6 says to pour the rest over the top. These steps don’t really make sense. 🤔
I just love make-ahead breakfast casseroles like this for the holidays, and this one looks and sounds amazing! 🙂
Thanks Carrie.
Oh wow, this is very impressive!! Its perfect for holiday brunch!!
Thanks Katerina!
Wow! This sounds amazing! I am thinking brunch for sure!
Enjoy Krista!
This is a perfect winter breakfast dish! My family is going to love waking up to this!
I hope they enjoy it as much as we do.
It took me a second to be able to type my comment. I had to stare at this beautiful and delicious dish for just a few minutes haha 😉
Thank you Michelle! 🙂 xo
Make ahead breakfasts are the best for Christmas morning! And I always need Christmas music and cookies while wrapping presents too – that’s actually my whole plan for tomorrow while the kids are at school! 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful holiday Stacey! Bless!
I adore Michael Buble too! I always go to the classics for Christmas like Bing Crosby, Perry Como etc but Michael Buble fits right in. Love it and I am loving this casserole too! Yum!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday Des.