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Decadent Bananas Foster French Toast Casserole Recipe with Easy Pecan Caramel Sauce

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A rich and comforting French toast casserole featuring ripe bananas, warm spices, and a buttery pecan caramel sauce, perfect for cozy weekends or special brunch occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Ripe bananas, sliced
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
  • Splash of dark rum or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Cut brioche or challah into 1-inch cubes and slice ripe bananas into thin rounds. Set aside separately.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half or milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt until smooth (about 2-3 minutes).
  3. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the bread cubes evenly. Scatter half of the banana slices over the bread. Repeat with remaining bread and bananas to form two layers.
  4. Slowly pour the custard mixture over the bread and bananas, pressing down gently to help the bread soak up the liquid. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove casserole from fridge and let sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
  6. Prepare pecan caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in light brown sugar and cook for about 2 minutes until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles.
  7. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and cook for another 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Stir in toasted pecans, splash of dark rum or vanilla extract if using, and a pinch of salt. Remove from heat.
  9. Bake casserole uncovered for 45-55 minutes until top is golden brown and custard is set but slightly jiggly in center. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.
  10. Serve warm with generous spoonfuls of pecan caramel sauce. Reheat sauce gently if it thickens too much.

Notes

Use day-old bread to avoid sogginess. Let custard soak overnight for best texture. Toast pecans well to enhance flavor. Tent casserole with foil if top browns too quickly. Sauce can be reheated gently if thickened. Gluten-free and dairy-free substitutions available.

Nutrition

Keywords: bananas foster, french toast casserole, pecan caramel sauce, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, holiday brunch, custard soaked bread

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/decadent-bananas-foster-french-toast-casserole-recipe-with-easy-pecan-caramel-sauce/