When my sister and I were young, our favorite mornings were when Mama would prepare French toast for breakfast. The smell of butter, kissed with cinnamon, combined with the heady scent of sizzling egg was a most welcome greeting as we bounded down the stairs. This version is made the night before, so you won’t find yourself camped in front of a hot griddle in the early morning, groggy and in need of caffeine. The next morning, remove it from the fridge to take the chill off. Grab a cup of coffee and pop it in the oven. By the time the table is set, the family is assembled, and you’re ready for your second cup, breakfast is ready. Brioche and challah are yeast breads, rich with egg and butter, and make superlative French toast.

　　

Ingredients

serves 8

　　4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

　　3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

　　1 loaf brioche or challah, sliced 1 1/2 inches thick (about 1 1/2 pounds)

　　8 large eggs, lightly beaten

　　1 cup whole milk

　　1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

　　1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

　　1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

　　Pinch of salt

　　1/2 cup chopped pecans

　　Confectioners’ sugar, for accompaniment

　　Sorghum, cane, or maple syrup, for accompaniment (see page 182)

　　

Step 1

Combine the melted butter and brown sugar in a baking dish. Arrange the bread slices in the dish. Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl. Pour over the bread, letting it soak in. Top with the pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours.

　　

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Let the chilled casserole stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Bake until browned and set, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool slightly. Sift over confectioners’ sugar. Serve hot or warm with sorghum, cane, or maple syrup.

　　From Bon Appétit, Y’all: Recipes and Stories From Three Generations of Southern Cooking, © 2008 by Virginia Willis. Reprinted by permission of Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Abe Books.