#JoyLifeTribe Recipe - Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole

What really is the difference between a French Toast Casserole and Bread Pudding? At this moment I’m not completely sure, I’d have t get back to you on that one! Regardless of the name, this was the best one I’ve made so far, and I’ve made a few over the years.

I do what I like to call “The Grandma Method,” with cooking and even baking, when possible. That means I eyeball and estimate amounts. This recipe is the perfect one to try The Grandma Method.

Tips to Perfection:

Brioche. You cannot make a good bread pudding or french toast casserole with brioche. This time I used a chocolate chip brioche loaf.

Ghiradelli Chocolate chips because well, #ghiradelli

Adding a bit of condensed milk, helped keep optimal moisture, and texture.

Dousing the brioche pieces in melted butter. No one said this was low fat!

Letting sit overnight before baking.

Need to know before beginning:

The egg to total milk ratio you are achieving is about 1:1

Total milk is a combo of 1/2 dairy milk, half almond milk. You can change to all dairy milk, all almond milk, or all whatever milk you like. Be aware however, the richer your milk, the better the recipe. So I would NOT recommend using rice milk. or skim dairy.

Ingredients

9 x 12 glass pan with bottom and sides buttered

One loaf of Chocolate Chip Brioche

Butter (about 3 tablespoons)

5 to 6 eggs

2% Organic Dairy Milk

Almond Milk (omit if not an almond milk person)

Condensed Milk (about a 1/4 cup) Optional

Cinnamon (a dash)

Unrefined, Organic Sugar (about 3/4 cups)

Vanilla Extract (about a teaspoon)

Chocolate Chips (about a 1/2 cup)

Organic Brown Sugar (about a handful)

It should look like this before baking!

Chop up the brioche into small squares and put in the 9 x 12 glass pan that you have buttered on the bottom and the sides. Melt about butter and pour over the bread pieces. Gently toss around the bread pieces to make sure they are as evenly coated as possible.

In bowl combine eggs and milk to achieve a 1/2 and 1/2 ratio, condensed milk (if using), vanilla extract, unrefined sugar, and cinnamon. Whisk until completely blended, you don’t want to see any whites of the yoke.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over chopped brioche and then pour the egg mixture right over it. Gently move around bread pieces making sure all pieces are covered and there are no dry points sticking up.

Put in refrigerator overnight.

Sprinkle brown sugar over coated bread and put in a 450°F oven, not preheated. Remember, not all ovens heat the same. Adjust the temperature accordingly.

Remove when it’s golden brown and inflated.

Swirl a little chocolate syrup on a plate before adding a slice, then top with whipped cream.