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Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast

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Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast made with Salted Caramel Irish Cream is the breakfast of champions!  Boozy, buttery, rich, savory, and slightly sweet french toast with muted notes of creamy caramel, a walnut streusel and homemade strawberry syrup.  This overnight french toast casserole is ultimately delicious and a breeze to whip together!  It’s perfect for entertaining, but since it’s a make ahead bake, it’s also easy enough for any given Sunday Brunch!Straight on shot of a stack of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast on a white plate with homemade strawberry maple syrup, small vase of pink flowers and a milk glass blurred in the background.Overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast recipe neatly organized on a white board.Hi y’all!  How was everyone’s weekend and Super Bowl Sunday?  Did you attend or host a party?  What was the best game day grub you devoured?

Boy and I decided to forgo attending the party we were invited to because he wasn’t feeling well.  So instead we watched the game in our pajamas, from the comfort of our couch, with a couple bowls of popcorn in our laps… and some beverages of course.  Beer for him and wine for me.

As I’m typing this the game is on, so I can’t even comment as to who won… or talk smack.  Let’s just say I hope your team won.  As long as you are rooting for the panthers, because I gotta cheer for my new home state!  😉

#KeepPounding (<–Haaaay Rachelle)

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*Updated at 9 am Monday – obviously the panthers lost… sad day for the world.  😉  I’ll be eating my feelings with this baked french toast.Overhead, up close shot of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast in a casserole dish fresh out of the oven with the focus of the shot on the streusel topping.Angled shot of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast fresh out of the oven in a casserole dish with a jar of homemade strawberry maple syrup, milk glass and small vase of flowers blurred in the background.Anyways, today we are going to keep it going strong with the Valentine’s Day recipes, because that $1,000 Amazon Gift Card is still up for grabs.

So, if you haven’t entered the contest yet, what you waitin’ for?!  Tick tock, tick tock.

Scroll down past the recipe and enter to win!  (GIVEAWAY CLOSED)

Straight on shot of a stack of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast on a white plate with homemade strawberry maple syrup, jar of milk and french toast casserole dish blurred in the background.Overhead shot of a stack of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast on a white plate with homemade strawberry maple syrup; with a jar of syrup, pink linen and french toast casserole dish surrounding the plate.Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast

Whew.  I know that’s a long title, but I felt it absolutely necessary to include each and every one of those words.  A name says it all, and this one says a lot.  😉

This French toast is the epitome of breakfast decadence.  It is boozy, buttery, rich, savory, and slightly sweet with muted notes of creamy caramel.

It is ultimately delicious and should be titled, “breakfast of champions”.  That would have been a shorter title, huh? Angled shot of a stack of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast on a white plate with homemade strawberry maple syrup and a jar of syrup, milk glass and pink linen blurred in the background.Straight on, up close shot of a stack of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast on a white plate with homemade strawberry maple syrup and a jar of syrup and milk glass blurred in the background.While this easy, make ahead Strawberry French Toast bake is seriously tasty on its own, this is my food blog you are reading, and I never leave well enough alone.  I always feel the need to take things just one (or three) step further.

And, in this case it comes in the form of walnut streusel and strawberry maple syrup.

The walnut streusel adds the perfect amount of crumbly, sugary crunch.  And the syrup is the perfect sticky, fruity finishing touch.  Both of these are optional, although I don’t recommend skipping them!  Obviously.

But, not only is this jazzed up Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast recipe is outrageously delicious, it is also a cinch to throw together and all of it can be prepared a day in advance.

Since this French toast is baked, you don’t need to slave away, standing over the stove flipping slices of bread on repeat.  Instead you can kick back, relax and pour yourself a Bloody Mary or two.

…Or you can do what I did and make this for your hunny on a weekday, pour yourself a glass of iced coffee and get some work done.  Either way, win win.  Overhead shot of a stack of Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast on a white plate with homemade strawberry maple syrup and a jar of syrup, fork, knife and pink linen to the side of the plate.So show your loved one(s) how much you love them this Valentine’s Day and whip them up something incredibly good to eat – Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast.  Until next time friends, Cheers – to boozing up your breakfast.

XOXO

Cheyanne

 

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How to make Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast at home👇

 

5 from 14 votes
Print
Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

Baked Salted Caramel Irish Cream Challah French toast is the breakfast of champions! Boozy, buttery, rich, savory, and slightly sweet with muted notes of creamy caramel. This overnight french toast is ultimately delicious and a breeze to whip together!

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 710 kcal
Author: Cheyanne Bany
Ingredients
  • 1 loaf Challah Bread – cut into 1’’ thick slices (can substitute brioche)
  • 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • ½ Cup Salted Caramel Irish Cream
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 3 TBS Light Brown Sugar
  • ¼ tsp Kosher Salt
  • 2 TBS Unsalted Butter – melted and cooled, plus more for greasing pan
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Strawberry Syrup:
  • 1 ½ heaping Cups Strawberries – hulled & roughly chopped (about 8 ounces)
  • 1 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
  • 1 TBS Honey
  • Walnut Streusel:
  • 1/3 Cup Walnuts – roughly chopped
  • 5 ½ TBS All Purpose Flour
  • 3 TBS Light Brown Sugar , packed
  • 1 ½ TBS Granulated Sugar
  • ¼ tsp Kosher Salt
  • 2 ½ TBS Unsalted Butter , melted
  • Toppings:
  • Confectioner’s Sugar – for dusting
  • Strawberries – sliced
  • Butter
Instructions
  1. Prepare French Toast Bake: Grease a 8x11’’ baking pan with butter. Arrange bread slices in two rows, slightly overlapping.
  2. In a large bowl mix together all ingredients except bread. Carefully pour over the bread, gently separating the slices with your fingers to get in between slices.
  3. Wrap pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
  4. Make the Strawberry Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the maple syrup, honey and a pinch of salt to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until reduced by half, 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the strawberries and simmer until strawberries are softened, 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, allowing the strawberries to steep, for 20-25 minutes.
  5. Prepare the Walnut Streusel: Place all ingredients, except for melted butter, in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Drizzle in the melted butter and stir with a fork until large and small chunks form. Set aside.
  6. Bake: When ready to bake, remove French toast from refrigerator and set on counter. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Gently spoon any pooled liquid at the bottom of the baking pan over the top of the bread. Sprinkle streusel evenly over the top, gently pushing streusel between slices of bread.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes. If the top starts browning, tent it gently with foil.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Dust with confectioner’s sugar. Serve with butter and strawberry syrup.
Recipe Notes

*Streusel will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
*Syrup will keep, covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Nutrition Facts
Strawberry Baked Challah French Toast
Amount Per Serving
Calories 710 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 844mg 35%
Potassium 459mg 13%
Total Carbohydrates 114g 38%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars 59g
Protein 17g 34%
Vitamin A 6.4%
Vitamin C 0.5%
Calcium 29.1%
Iron 26.4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Comments

  3. OMG Cheyanne! This looks french toast sounds totally amazing, and looks it too! That strawberry syrup, that walnut streusel, the salted caramel Irish cream! Let me say it again…OMG!! I love make ahead french toast bakes. They are perfect for company (or just myself!) and oh so decadently delicious! Did I mention challah!? I’m drooling on my screen!

    Reply

  4. I’m not really a football fan, as I’m ALL about the snacks! My husband and I pretty much did the same thing as you…watched the game from our couch with some wine. But I definitely feel like I need a hearty breakfast after last night! This french toast looks GORGEOUS Cheyanne! I love that you used challah instead of regular bread! And that syrup sounds sooo good. Love this stunning dish! Pinned, of course!

    Reply

    • Who doesn’t love the snacks on Super Bowl, right?! Sounds like you and the hubs did it right yesterday! 😉 Thanks so much for the comment love and pin, Gayle! Cheers, friend! <3

      Reply

  5. That’s it – YOU HAVE WON BREAKFAST! So completely perfect!!! Meantime, we had guac and chips and wine, and one of us crept up to bed after the halftime show, and we all lived happily ever after. Cheers, my friend!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much, Kathryn! Glad you appreciate the extra steps I feel necessary to take. 😉 Such a rough loss yesterday… Right there mourning with you. Sad indeed!!! Cheers friend!

      Reply

  9. A $1,000 giveaway! WHOA! Keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Also keeping my fingers crossed that a piece of this french toast magically appears on my desk! HOLY YUM! Beautiful photos and that challah is absolutely stunning. Pinned! XOXO

    P.S. How close do you live to Concord, NC? I’m going to be in Concord later this year!!!

    Reply

    • How are you just seeing the giveaway, Lauren?! You better get on that! My fingers are crossed for you, my dear!! If I could do magic I would definitely make this french toast appear on your desk! 😉 Thanks so much for the comment love and pin! XO
      P.S. I’m about an hour and a half from Concord. Let me know when you are coming, maybe we can meet up! <3

      Reply

  10. We all holla for challah!! hahaha! What are you doing to me? You know I’m on a low carb diet Bestie and I can’t be eatin’ this but I will be eatin’ this next Sunday cause gonna make it for my sweetie (and for me!). Plus it’s super easy with the overnight thing and I’m all about super easy breakfasts! Yay!! J and I got engaged on Valentine’s Day so we both treat this holiday as an extra special day each year. Thanks for providing us with a delicious extra special breakfast this year 🙂 xoxoxo P.S. that game sucked and I was totally rooting for the Cats 🙁

    Reply

    • Hahaha! Holllllllaaa! I’m torturing you so you will end that stupid diet.. that’s what I’m doing! 😉 I didn’t know you and J got engaged on Vday! How sweet! He better treat you to something EXTRA special AND make you this french toast for the big day! 🙂 Thanks for the comment, peanut! Cheers! xoxoxo
      P.S. I’m not sure I even want to call that a game. 🙁

      Reply

  11. Definitely the breakfast of champions – decadent champions! Wow, no need for lunch or maybe even dinner with this one… if I had it with some bacon, maybe. Ha! The walnut streusel did me in on top… I’m a sucker for that, but the name for this alone had me reading and the photos are making’ me hungry. Pinned and I’m with you and wish the Panthers won (not that I’m a big football fan) 🙂

    Reply

    • Decadent champions for sure, Kevin! Bacon on the side would be fabulous.. but then again what wouldn’t be fabulous with a side of bacon?! 😉 Thanks so much for the kind comment and pin!! Cheers, buddy!

      Reply

  12. Hey girl! So incredibly gorgeous! (Yeah you.) And this breakfast. Oh my word. Seriously. The strawberry syrup. The walnut streusel. The challah. Over the top. You have outdone yourself and I would love this at our next brunch. Which must be very soon!!! Valentine’s Day! Sorry about your team. We were rooting for them too as we lived in the Carolinas for many years. We hosted a party here, which is why I’m dragging today. Cheers to coffee, caffeine and a better week ahead! XOXO

    Reply

    • Ha! You always make me smile, Allie! To sweet!! I know you lived in the Carolinas previously, so I figured you were rooting for the panthers.. Next year, hopefully! If you lived closer I would have invited myself to your party! 🙂 Cheers, doll! XO

      Reply

  14. There’s nothing about this that I don’t love…easier said —–> I love everything about this! Sorry you weren’t feeling well yesterday! Dom and I watched from the comforts of our couch, though I took a much needed departure to hit the treadmill for a bit…was necessary after all those tots I ate last week! 😉 I can see it will be necessary again after eating this divine French toast – all the divine French toast! It’s very romantico, I must say! Brava! xoxo

    Reply

    • Haha! Your too funny, Annie! And too sweet!! 🙂 Comforts of the couch are where it is AT! Except the only exercise I did yesterday was move my hand from the popcorn bowl to my mouth. Thanks for the sweet comment, my dear! Cheers! xoxo

      Reply

  15. I hosted a Super Bowl shindig and unfortunately wasn’t into either team. I was thinking it would a blow out with the Panthers taking the game, but what do I know? At least Lady Gaga did an amazing job and the halftime show was good! Challah is the only bread I ever want to use for french toast — it’s just perfect. And the salted caramel and strawberry syrup sound like an amazing way to top this off — delicious!

    Reply

    • Too bad I don’t live anywhere near you or I would have invited myself over, Marcie! 😉 Beyonce killed it for sure! Love that you use Challah for french toast too!! #GreatMinds! Thanks so much for the comment, my dear! Cheers!!

      Reply

  17. I didn’t watch the bowl.. I was helping my cousin unpack her kitchen and hang blinds in her new house. BUT we did eat some snacks and ate red velvet cupcakes! It was all good. If I did watch the bowl, I would have preferred to stay at home in my jammies. It was sooo cold yesterday! Um, yes please and yes, please keep taking it over the top! Gorgeous and soooo delicious Chey. Challah french toast is a total weakness for me. I want to literally eat the entire loaf. It is SO rich, buttery and satisfying! Love how this can be made ahead and rested overnight for full on breakfast when I get up – after a quick bake! Delicious!!

    Reply

  18. I missed the Super Bowl – I forgot it was on! We usually have a super bowl pool at work but didn’t have one this year so maybe that’s why I forgot. As for this breakie – yumm! Love baked french toast and challah must be delicious since it’s a delicate bread. Love the streusel topping and the carmel irish cream, strawberry maple syrup! All absolutely delicious flavors, Cheyanne!

    Reply

  19. This is definitely what I want for Valentine’s Day! Baked French toast is crazy good anyway, but I am so happy that you covered it in streusel. You’ve made all my streusel dreams come true!

    Reply

  20. I didn’t watch the Super Bowl, but I did see the puppy bowl 😉 This is Valentine’s breakfast all the way! I love challah (or as I like to say, ‘holla’) – it’s so luscious and pillowy soft – omg and it soaks up all of those awesome flavors you’ve got going on here! A little booze and some streusel – sign me up!

    Reply

  21. Cheyanne – We stayed in too and had some tacos and guac. It was nice to just be in comfortable clothes and enjoy my boyfriend’s company. This french toast…holy smokes. I am going to have to make this one very soon. I’m a huge fan of baked french toast, but the salted caramel Irish cream sounds like the perfect addition. 🙂

    Reply

  23. Aaaahhh!!! This looks amazing, Cheyanne! Now I’m thinking that breakfast for dinner might just be in order 😉 The hubs and I were also in our PJs as we watched the game (ok, I didn’t, but I did glance up from time to time to watch the commercials and the halftime show) and ate some traditional game day grub 🙂

    Reply

  24. We didn’t get a chance to see the Super Bowl but we did have a huge feast at our family’s house 🙂 This is one gorgeous french toast! So many good things! Strawberry syrup, walnut streusel, salted caramel irish cream? Heck to the yes!! <3

    Reply

  25. You’ve outdone yourself. This is like everything I’ve ever wanted in a plate of breakfast! I spent the Superbowl being totally lazy on my couch, haha, only half watching. Oops. I wish this plate of french toast had been keeping my company – I’ve got to try it ASAP!

    Reply

  26. Love challah and I think it makes the best french toast! This looks delicious and gorgeous! I’m sorry your team lost, girl! I didn’t watch the whole game (it was long…) but I ate lots of appetizers 🙂

    Reply

  29. Yum! Yum! I don’t usually put much effort into breakfast but I have to break out of my rut for this incredible french toast!! Love the addition of Salted Caramel Irish Cream, and you can pile on that walnut streusel ’cause it’s looking GOOD! I didn’t watch much of the game, but I did catch the best part of the show…Bruno Mars. I am sorry that your Panthers lost…maybe next year…against the Patriots! xo

    Reply

  31. Oh my goodness! (fainted). French toasts with Irish cream (salted caramel! – fainted again), strawberry (!) maple syrup, and walnut streusel? Sorry for being emotional, but these french toasts make me this way (fainted). You see what you’ve done, Chey (apart of these scrumptious toasts)? I do believe you should compensate my health issues caused by this recipe (or I will sue you). Ammmaaaa (fainted) ziiiiing work!

    Reply

  35. While I’m sad for you that your Panthers lost (and Rachelle too), I wanted Peyton to have one last great game. And he didn’t play that well, but at least he won.
    This is OVER THE TOP incredible!! I need to hire you to come up here to DC and make everybody brunch. I have never been more tempted to put everything down and make French toast!

    Reply

  37. Hahah you always have the longest titles! Which is always great because it means all of our lovely dishes are so diverse in flavors! This french toast looks amazinggg. First I first saw this I couldn’t close my mouth cause without a doubt I have never seen something like this before!!

    Reply

  39. Whoa. That french toast is to die for!! I have been obsessed with Bailey’s lately and I never thought to use it in french toast but I’m seriously loving this. Hope you’re staying healthy! There’s a cold/flu going around for sure.

    Reply

  41. Gahhhhh, this french toast, OMG. I can’t decide what I love the most about it? Salted caramel? Irish cream? The fact that it is baked? I DON’T KNOW. But I do know that I want to eat it RIGHT NOW. I only caught the end of the game because I was driving home from visiting my hometown, but since I’m not really a huge football fan I was ok with that. Sad your team lost, but at least you get to comfort yourself with this delicious french toast! Pinning this!

    Reply

  42. I wanna eat my feelings by digging into this – wait, actually, I’ve got no feelings when it comes to the game – I rooted for the Carolina Panthers just cos everyone else was rooting for the Broncos – but I didn’t even know who the top two were till we got to a friends little gathering – gah – am a lost cause when it comes to football – but this – this baked french toast made with challah and topped with walnut streusel ??? OHMYGAWRSH!!! I cannot even – just leave boy and come live with me and make me breakfast like this always puhleeze? Just kidding -about the leave boy part – seriously – this is holly – I’ve got no words that will do justice! Wow!

    Reply

  43. haha that name definitely says it all! So much goodness! I adore baked french toast for holidays / special occasions. And this looks fantastic!

    Yeah we watched a lot of the super bowl … and then fell asleep like 15 minutes before it ended. Whomp whomp. lol

    Reply

  45. Wowwwww – my jaw dropped as soon as I read the title for this amazing recipe! This has to be the best french toast ever Cheyanne!!!!! It sounds absolutely incredible!!!!! The photos are so stunning too. I wish I could grab a plate of it out from my screen! <3

    Reply

  46. Our new apartment hosted 1.) a puppy bowl which was great for our pooch with the exception of one dog who thought it was more fun to hump my dog than chase footballs around (maybe he heard about those moose cookies) 2.) a Super Bowl party. . .which worked out perfectly for the Mr and I because we got to chow down on free food, watch drunk people fall off barstools, and laugh at a woman who was waaaaaaay too old to be wearing leather pants climb all over the pool table like a stripper. All this without having to feel obligated to hang around and watch the game. Jealous?

    Well one thing is for sure. . .I ‘ m jealous that you had this divine french toast to drown your sorrows in after the Panthers lost. And since it is boozy. . .I’d say it is the perfect cure for a post game hangover. 😉

    Reply

  52. Cheyanne… you are a genius. I cannot even imagine the divine combination of flavors (salted caramel!? Irish cream!? Strawberry!? Maple!?) that make up this French Toast. You’d better believe that I will be making this and I can’t WAIT (especially for that streusel topping… HEAVEN!!!!).
    P.S. Sorry the Panthers lost, I’m fairly indifferent to football but I was rooting for them, too! Good thing you had this French Toast to help cheer you up 😉

    Reply

  54. Oh the toppings are never optional, in my humble opinion. I want them all and piled up high as the sky! Food shouldn’t be naked (he he he!). I didn’t watch a single minute of the game. I feel like a pretty bad American. Instead I watched re-runs of New Girl. Ha ha ha.

    Reply

  55. I just want to dive into this fresh toast!! It looks utterly decadent and perfect!! Look at that gorgeous streusel topping!! And strawberry maple syrup?? Yes please!!! I am absolutely loving this, Cheyanne! Fantastic job, deary! So sorry your panthers lost, but this french toast would clearly diminish any sad feelings for sure!! XO

    Reply

  57. OMG FRENCH TOAST!! My fave thing EVER. It is the one thing I can never pass up on a cafe menu, and if I need a celebration/sweet breakfast —> always french toast. Love how this one is baked so everyone’s is ready at the same time, and the strawberries look incredible. Straight on the to-make list, thanks Cheyenne!! x

    Reply

  59. Using challah was such a great idea. Then u threw in salted caramel? Uhmmm sold. Then some booze? Well, I’m jumping for joy here 🙂

    Reply

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