Do you ever find yourself with leftover challah bread and wonder what to do with it? This delicious, easy-to-make challah breakfast casserole is your answer.
Packed full of dried fruit and topped with a simple streusel, this custardy casserole will fill your home with the delightful aroma of brown sugar and butter. Prepare it the night before, and enjoy a sweet and indulgent breakfast the next morning.
Why It Works
Soaking the challah in custard overnight allows the bread to fully hydrate, resulting in a tender and moist casserole. The streusel topping of flour, brown sugar, and butter provides a delightful crunch and sweetness.
Challah bread, a staple in Jewish cuisine, is enriched with eggs and oil, making it perfect for this type of dish. Whether you have fresh or stale challah, the results are consistently delicious. Using leftover challah not only minimizes waste but also brings a unique flavor and texture to your breakfast table.
Ingredients and Preparation
To begin, gather your ingredients: dried fruit, large eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, cubed challah, and sliced almonds. For the streusel, you will need all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, kosher salt, and cold unsalted butter.
In a medium bowl, rehydrate the dried fruit with hot water for about five minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, milk, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and almond extract. Arrange the cubed challah in a baking dish and evenly coat it with the custard mixture, then add the dried fruit and almonds. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate overnight.
The Custard Soak
One of the keys to a perfect breakfast casserole is soaking the bread overnight.
This extra time allows the challah to absorb the custard fully, ensuring a moist and tender texture. While it may be tempting to cut this step short, allowing the soak will bring the best results.
The next morning, take out the casserole and allow it to warm to room temperature. This ensures even baking and enhances the overall texture of the dish.
Creating the Streusel Topping
While the casserole comes to room temperature, prepare the streusel topping. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter in a food processor until the mixture is crumbly and resembles coarse meal.
Alternatively, you can mix the ingredients by hand, ensuring the butter is well-incorporated. This topping adds a delightful crunch and sweetness, which is the perfect contrast to the soft, custardy base.
Baking the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare to bake the casserole.
Spread the streusel topping evenly over the bread mixture before placing it in the oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is firm to the touch.
Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. This will help the flavors to settle and make it easier to cut into portions.
Serving Suggestions
This challah breakfast casserole can stand on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, yogurt, or a light salad.
For a touch of decadence, consider serving it with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days, making this a convenient dish to prepare ahead of time.
Transform Leftover Challah Into a Sweet, Custardy Breakfast Casserole
With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, this dish transforms leftover challah into a delightful breakfast experience.
This sweet and custardy challah breakfast casserole is an ideal way to use up leftover bread while treating yourself and your family to an indulgent morning meal.
With its delightful combination of textures and flavors, it is sure to become a favorite in your breakfast rotation.
Source: Seriouseats