Well now, I reckon if you’re lookin’ for a breakfast that’s gonna fill up your belly and put a smile on your face, you’ve come to the right place! I’m gonna tell ya how to make Paula Deen’s French Toast Casserole. It’s so easy even my old hands can handle it, and it sure does taste like somethin’ from a fancy diner. But don’t you worry none, we ain’t makin’ anything too complicated. Just a good ol’ hearty dish to keep you goin’ all day long.
Now, first thing you gotta do is grab some French bread. Not the soft kind, mind you, but the kind that’s a little firm, like what we used to have on the farm. You want about 20 slices, each about an inch thick. Don’t be too fancy with it. Just slice it up nice and even, and don’t worry about the edges bein’ perfect. We ain’t runnin’ a bakery, just makin’ somethin’ that’ll stick to your ribs!
Next, take yourself a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Ain’t no need to measure too much, just make sure it’s big enough to hold all your bread slices. Now, you wanna butter that dish real good. I mean really good. The more butter, the better! Just slather it on there, don’t be shy with it, ya hear? Once that’s done, start puttin’ the bread in there. Lay ’em down in two rows, and make sure they overlap a little, just like you’re tuckin’ a quilt in for the night. Don’t worry about it lookin’ neat, just make sure it’s all packed in there nice and snug.
Now, for the fun part! In a big ol’ bowl, crack you about 6 eggs. Don’t be shy with ’em, make sure they’re all good and fresh. You don’t want no old eggs messin’ up your casserole! Then, pour in some milk—about 2 cups, but who’s countin’? Just eyeball it, you’ll know when it’s right. Throw in a good bit of sugar, maybe a cup or so, and don’t forget a pinch of salt. This is what’ll make it sweet, but still give it that savory kick. Mix all that up real good, and pour it over your bread slices. Make sure all the bread is soaked, don’t leave nothin’ dry!
Once you’ve got everything good and soaked, you need to cover it up and let it sit. I usually stick it in the fridge overnight, but if you’re in a hurry, let it sit for at least an hour. This way, all that egg and milk goodness has time to soak into the bread. You’ll want it to soak up as much as it can, trust me on this!
Now, when you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to about 350 degrees. Don’t forget to check that your oven is nice and hot, so your casserole bakes up just right. Take your casserole out of the fridge, and it’s time to make the topping. For this, you’ll need some butter. Melt about half a cup of it in a small pan. Then, stir in about a cup of brown sugar and some maple syrup—just a little, about half a cup or so. Let it cook for a minute or two, until everything’s melted and bubbly.
Once your topping is ready, pour it all over the casserole. Make sure it covers every little bit of bread. Then, pop it in the oven and let it bake for about 45 minutes. When it’s done, the top should be golden brown and a little crispy, and the inside should be all soft and custardy-like. You know it’s ready when you can stick a knife in the middle, and it comes out clean. That’s how you know it’s cooked through!
Let it sit for just a few minutes before you slice into it. Then, serve it up hot and fresh. You can even sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top, if you’re feelin’ fancy, but honestly, it’s just fine on its own. If you want, you can add a few berries or some whipped cream, but like I said, it’s good just the way it is!
Now, there you have it—a simple, delicious French toast casserole that’ll make your mouth water. It’s perfect for when you’ve got company over or just want somethin’ nice for breakfast. So go ahead, give it a try, and I promise you won’t regret it. It’s just like somethin’ Paula Deen would make for her family, and I’m sure it’ll be a hit with yours too!
Tags：[Paula Deen, French Toast Casserole, Breakfast, Easy Recipe, Comfort Food, Baking, Homemade Breakfast, Casserole Recipe, Sweet Breakfast]
