Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Casserole with Pineapple Compote

french toast casserole with pineapple compote

I don’t know about you, but I am not a big breakfast person. For me, breakfast is a bowl of cereal or a piece of fruit, but there is something about the cooler weather that has my tummy growling as soon as I wake up. Not an “I need a little snack” kind of growl, either, but a full blown “I need some real food” kind of growl.

French toast is my favorite cold morning meal. It is warm, buttery, sweet, and easy to make when you are cooking for just one or two. The cooler weather comes with holidays that bring families together and making individual French toast when you have a house full would be too tedious of an endeavor. So, I decided to be creative and found a yummy way to make a French toast casserole that will delight the crowds. It even comes with its own groovy fruit topping.

Creating Comfort Food to the Extreme

This is what you will need to start this breakfast adventure. (A little tip: It is best to prep this the night before.)

Casserole Ingredients:

• One loaf of Cinnamon Swirl Bread

• 6 large eggs

• 1 cup whole milk

• ½ cup heavy cream

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla

Compote Ingredients:

• 1 whole pineapple, peeled, cored, and cubed

• ½ cup water

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon

First, in a 9”x13” pan, line the bottom with whole slices of bread. You should be able to get 5 – 7 pieces in the bottom of the pan. This is going to give you a solid base when you slice and serve the casserole to your family. Whatever remaining pieces that you have can be torn in to pieces and placed on top.

Next, in a large bowl, mix eggs, milk, cream, ½ cup brown sugar, and vanilla. Pour this mixture over your bread. Cover the pan with plastic and chill for at least 4 hours, but it is better to let it sit overnight.

The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°. Then, in a saucepan, add the water, ½ cup of brown sugar, and the cinnamon. Stir to dissolve the sugar, add the pineapple, and then bring to a boil. Once it is boiling, turn the heat down to simmer and just let it cook.

Once your oven is preheated, take the plastic off the casserole and place in the oven for 45 minutes, or until it is golden on top.

While your casserole cooks, stir the pineapple occasionally, letting it reduce. You will end up with pineapple compote to serve on top of your casserole.

If they weren’t up already, your family is going to wake up in a great mood with all those wonderful aromas floating around the house. When they sit down to breakfast, you are going to be their hero of the holidays!

#simplyeat #breakfastrecipe #casserole