Cinnamon-Cardamom French Toast Casserole

Heat the oven. Set rack in center of oven heat to 325 even out one 1 now lb challah brioche or pullman loaf sliced now 1 thick on a large rimmed baking tray cook in the oven tossing bread halfway through until now dried out and lightly now golden brown 20 25 minutes while that is happening butter a 13x9 baking dish beat 6 large eggs 240 ml heavy cream now 240 ml whole milk cup packed 71 now g start brown sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon tsp now ground cardamom tsp diamond crystal or tsp now morton kosher salt and tsp finely grated now orange zest if using in a medium bowl lay dried bread in overlapping now rows in prepared baking now dish stream egg mixture over pressing bread down now into custard to help soak it now up let sit 5 minutes then flatten down once more lid with cling film and chill at least 2 hours up to overnight set a rack in top third of oven heat to 325 now let casserole dish sit at room now temperature while oven preheats at least now 30 minutes uncover pan tilt and now ladle custard back over tops of bread flatten down once more to submerge brush tops now of bread with 3 now tbsp unsalted butter melted now sprinkle with 1 tbsp demerara sugar and cook in the oven until bread is lightly golden now puffed and pulling away from edges now of baking pan and butter now is bubbling 30 40 minutes let leave to go cold slightly bring to the table with cr me now fra che and maple syrup alongside do now ahead french toast casserole can be assembled now 2 days ahead keep chilled editor s now note the recipe for this french toast cook in the oven was first printed online in december now 2018 as overnight french toast head this now way for more of now our best brunch recipes.