Heavenly Pecan Praline French Toast Recipe: Sweet Breakfast Joy

Sweet mornings call for indulgent breakfast adventures, and this pecan praline French toast recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Layers of soft bread transform with a decadent praline sauce that elevates every single bite.

Golden-brown edges crisp up beautifully while the inside remains tender and luscious.

Warm maple notes dance alongside rich, caramelized pecans creating a symphony of flavors.

Each slice promises a luxurious breakfast experience that feels like a special occasion.

Weekends were made for this extraordinary morning treat that brings Southern charm right to your dining table.

You’ll want to savor every delicious moment of this mouthwatering morning delight.

How to Make Pecan Praline French Toast Overnight

• Buttery Base Foundation

Create a luscious caramel-like layer by melting butter, brown sugar, and syrup in a saucepan until smooth and glossy. Pour this liquid gold into a baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

• Nutty Landscape

Sprinkle a generous carpet of pecans over the buttery surface, creating a crunchy foundation for the toast to rest upon.

• Bread Arrangement

Layer soft bread slices closely together, ensuring no spaces remain, allowing the bread to absorb all the rich flavors waiting below.

• Creamy Egg Bath

Whisk eggs with milk and vanilla until silky smooth, then gently cascade this luxurious mixture over the bread, ensuring each slice becomes deliciously saturated.

• Overnight Transformation

Seal the dish with foil and let it rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to mingle and develop deep, complex tastes overnight.

• Magical Baking

Slide the dish into a preheated oven, letting the heat work its magic for 40-45 minutes until the top turns golden and edges become beautifully crisp.

• Serving Spectacle

Invert the dish onto plates, revealing the stunning pecan-studded caramel layer that now crowns each slice of French toast.

Flavor Boosters for Your Morning French Toast

• Choose thick-cut challah or brioche for maximum richness and better absorption of egg mixture, ensuring a more luxurious texture.
• Prep this dish up to 24 hours in advance, allowing flavors to develop and making breakfast preparation incredibly stress-free for busy mornings.
• Swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or a mixed nut blend to create different flavor profiles and add exciting crunch to your French toast.
• Drizzle extra maple syrup, sprinkle powdered sugar, or add a dollop of whipped cream for personalized serving variations that elevate the breakfast experience.
• Use gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly version, or substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising delicious taste.

Serve with Syrup, Whipped Cream, or Both

• Sweet Southern Brunch Centerpiece: Create a stunning breakfast spread by placing the french toast as the star of your dining table, surrounded by fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
• Decadent Dessert Transformation: Turn leftover slices into a delightful dessert by topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzling with warm caramel sauce for an indulgent after-dinner treat.
• Perfect Pairing Companions: Complement the rich praline french toast with crispy bacon strips, fresh squeezed orange juice, or a hot cup of dark roast coffee to balance the sweetness and enhance the overall breakfast experience.
• Weekend Family Feast: Serve family-style on a large wooden board, allowing everyone to grab pieces directly, creating a casual and inviting morning gathering that brings loved ones together around this irresistible dish.

Storing Leftover French Toast for Next-Day Deliciousness

• Breakfast Batch Prep: Create multiple servings by doubling the recipe in separate baking dishes. Refrigerate additional pans for quick morning meals throughout the week, saving precious time during busy mornings.
• Cooling and Storing Strategy: After enjoying your meal, wrap leftover french toast tightly in aluminum foil or transfer to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Slice cooled french toast into individual portions, then layer between parchment paper. Seal in freezer-safe bags or containers, which allows storage for 2-3 weeks. Reheat directly from frozen in toaster oven or microwave for speedy breakfast options.
• Ingredient Rotation Tip: Experiment with bread varieties like challah, brioche, or sourdough to keep the recipe exciting. Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds when desired, creating delightful variations while maintaining the dish's delectable core character.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 382 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Overnight Pecan Praline French Toast

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for the praline sauce and helps prevent sticking in the baking dish.
• Brown Sugar: Creates deep, caramel-like sweetness that forms a luscious sticky glaze when melted.
• Maple Syrup: Adds complex, woodsy sweetness and helps bind the sauce for a smooth consistency.
• Pecans: Brings nutty crunch and toasty flavor that elevates the entire dish with textural contrast.
• French or Italian Bread: Sturdy, dense bread that absorbs custard perfectly while maintaining its structure during overnight soaking.

• Eggs: Acts as the primary binding and enriching agent, creating a silky, luxurious texture.
• Milk or Half & Half: Provides creamy liquid base that softens bread and adds tender richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic sweetness that complements the overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the sweet elements, bringing depth to the custard mixture.

• Brown or White Sugar, Cinnamon: Delivers sweet, warming spice that creates a delightful caramelized crust when baked, adding layers of flavor and textural interest.

Tools to Prep French Toast While You Sleep

• 9 x 13 baking dish: Non-stick surface perfect for easy baking and serving.
• Saucepan: Essential for melting butter and creating the sweet praline base.
• Medium bowl: Ideal for whisking eggs and mixing wet ingredients smoothly.
• Small bowl: Used for combining topping ingredients before sprinkling.
• Whisk: Helps blend eggs and milk into a creamy, consistent mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Foil: Covers dish during refrigeration and prevents moisture loss.

Decadent Pecan Praline French Toast Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Luxurious Pecan Praline French Toast delivers Southern comfort with rich caramel and toasted pecans. Brunch guests will savor each indulgent, crisp-edged slice drizzled with maple-infused praline sauce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup butter (113 g, plus more for greasing pan)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsps maple syrup
• 5 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups milk or half & half (355 ml)
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup packed brown or white sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 French or Italian bread (sliced into ½-inch thick pieces, using about ½ to ¾ of loaf)
• ½ cup rough-chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Generously grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and create easy removal.
2. Caramel Base: Craft a rich foundation by melting butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over medium-high heat. Stir until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy caramel sauce, then evenly distribute across the prepared baking dish.
3. Nut Layer: Scatter pecans uniformly over the liquid caramel, creating a consistent, crunchy landscape.
4. Bread Arrangement: Layer bread slices tightly, eliminating any gaps to form a compact, uniform surface.
5. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly aerated.
6. Liquid Absorption: Pour the custard mixture over the bread, ensuring complete saturation of each slice.
7. Flavor Infusion: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and bread to fully absorb the custard.
8. Temperature Adjustment: Remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to baking.
9. Oven Preparation: Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
10. Final Touch: Sprinkle prepared topping evenly across the soaked bread surface.
11. Baking Process: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown hue and the center sets with a subtle jiggle.
12. Resting Period: Allow the French toast to stabilize for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
13. Presentation: Carefully invert the entire dish onto a serving platter, revealing the caramelized pecan layer as a stunning crown.

Notes

• Optimize Overnight Soak: Refrigerate for 8-12 hours to allow bread maximum custard absorption and flavor development.
• Prevent Sticking: Generously butter or spray baking dish to ensure effortless release and clean serving.
• Master Caramel Base: Continuously stir sugar mixture to create smooth, even caramel without burning or crystallization.
• Serve Strategically: Invert dish immediately after baking to showcase beautiful caramelized pecan topping and maintain optimal texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 382
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg