05 Nov Pumpkin French Toast Bake
We put a cozy spin on a classic breakfast staple that couldn’t be easier to put together! Here we combine buttery artisan buns with creamy pumpkin spice custard with cinnamon sugar candied pecans sprinkled on top. Assemble the French toast the night before and bake in the morning for a quick and easy sweet breakfast treat. (2p-plan serves 4; 4p-plan serves 8—nutrition reflects 1 slice)
Ingredients
- 2 (3 oz) mascarpone
- 6 artisan buns
- 2 (5 oz) granulated sugar
- 15 oz can pumpkin purée
- ¼ oz ground cinnamon
- 6 (1 oz) pecans
- 2½ oz confectioners’ sugar
- 3 (1 oz) maple syrup
-
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
-
6 large eggs
-
kosher salt
Instructions
1. Prep ingredients
Preheat oven to 350ºF with a rack in the center. Set all of the mascarpone out to soften at room temperature. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a large baking dish (or 12-inch ovenproof skillet). Cut 4 tablespoons butter into small pieces; reserve for step 3. Cut 5 buns (save rest for own use) into 1-inch thick slices.
2. Mix pumpkin custard
In a medium bowl, combine softened mascarpone, 5 large eggs, ⅔ cup granulated sugar; whisk until smooth. Whisk in pumpkin purée, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon salt (mixture will not be smooth).
3. Assemble French toast
Arrange sliced bread in an even layer in prepared baking dish. Pour custard over top, then use your hands or a rubber spatula to gently press bread down to absorb custard. Scatter reserved butter pieces over top.
4. Prep candied pecans
In a medium bowl, whisk 1 large egg white (save yolk for own use), ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until frothy, about 2 minutes. Add pecans and stir to evenly coat (mixture will be runny). Pour all over French toast.
5. Bake French toast
Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake on center oven rack until French toast is puffed, browned, and set in the middle, about 50 minutes.
6. Garnish & serve
Let French toast sit for 10 minutes, then dust with confectioners’ sugar and drizzle with maple syrup before serving. Enjoy!