Description
A stress-free, oven-baked brunch recipe featuring golden, crispy french toast sticks soaked in a rich custard, topped with buttery pecans and warm maple syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large loaf (about 24 slices) soft white or brioche bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)
- Extra maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Slice each bread slice into three equal strips to create sticks.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until frothy.
- Dip each bread stick into the custard mixture for 10-15 seconds per side, allowing excess to drip off.
- Arrange soaked sticks in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the sticks and press them in slightly.
- Brush the tops of the sticks with melted butter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the center is set.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with confectioners’ sugar and warm maple syrup.
Notes
For best results, use soft fresh bread. If using stale bread, soak for longer (20 seconds per side). Toasting pecans beforehand enhances flavor. To keep warm for a crowd, place baked sticks in a 200°F oven. Leftovers can be frozen and reheated in a toaster oven for crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 sticks per serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 9
Keywords: french toast sticks, baked french toast, brunch recipe, maple pecan, easy breakfast, make-ahead brunch, oven baked french toast