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Mimosa Bar French Toast Bake

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This festive French toast bake combines the flavors of orange, vanilla, and champagne for a brunch dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for serving a crowd. It’s rich, light, and customizable for dietary needs, making it a showstopper for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf French bread or brioche (about 16 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup dry sparkling wine or champagne (or extra orange juice for non-alcoholic)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Extra orange zest, for garnish
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • Sliced fresh oranges, berries, and mint (optional, for serving)
  • Extra sparkling wine or orange juice (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Slice bread into 1-inch cubes and arrange evenly in the dish. If bread is fresh, let cubes air-dry for 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, orange juice, champagne, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and pale yellow.
  3. Pour custard evenly over bread cubes, pressing gently to soak. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate overnight.
  4. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Sprinkle topping over soaked bread. Add extra orange zest if desired.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20–25 minutes, until top is golden and center is set.
  6. Let bake cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with orange slices or berries if desired.
  7. Cut into squares and serve warm. Offer extra orange juice and champagne on the side for a mimosa bar experience.

Notes

For best results, use day-old bread and soak overnight. Brioche yields a richer texture, but French bread works well. Substitute gluten-free bread and dairy-free milk/butter as needed. Add berries or chocolate chips for flavor twists. Bake covered first to keep moist, then uncover for a golden top. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: mimosa bar, french toast bake, brunch, crowd, easy, champagne, orange, breakfast casserole, holiday, party, make ahead

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/mimosa-bar-french-toast-bake-recipe-easy-brunch-for-a-crowd/