Go Back
–+ servings

Carrot Cake French Toast Bake

This carrot cake french toast bake is soft, perfectly spiced, and layered with a creamy filling and brown sugar crumble. A cozy make-ahead brunch recipe!
No ratings yet
Print Pin
Course: Breakfast
Keyword: French Toast Bake
Servings: 8
Author: katerinafaith

Equipment

Ingredients

  • Baking spray or butter to grease the dish
  • 1 loaf brioche or French bread cut into cubes
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup finely grated carrots about 2 large carrots, excess moisture squeezed out
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • Optional: 1/4 cup raisins soaked and softened

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla

Crumb Topping

  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 6 tablespoons cold butter cubed
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Optional Cream Cheese Drizzle (Highly Recommend 👀)

  • 2 ounces cream cheese
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • Splash of vanilla

Instructions

  • Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the cubed bread to the dish.
  • In a medium sized bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until creamy, then drop spoonfuls evenly over the bread layer.
  • Sprinkle the grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins (if using) evenly over the bread.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Pour the mixture evenly over the prepared bread.
  • Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours, or overnight for best results. This is optional, but will give you the best texture.
  • In a medium sized bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix in the cold butter until crumbly. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Remove the french toast dish from the fridge and sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the top.
  • Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until golden brown on top.
  • Optional Cream Cheese Drizzle: Whisk together cream cheese, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over the warm french toast bake.
  • Serve warm with optional maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.