Sticky Date French Toast Bake

What do you get when you cross sticky date pudding with breakfast? This Date French Toast bake. Soft, custardy bread soaks up sweet dates and warm spices, then bakes into a rich, sticky french toast that feels indulgent without being heavy.

Finished with a lighter butterscotch-style sauce, it is perfect for Christmas morning or slow holiday brunches, especially if you love cozy breakfast recipes like Pumpkin Pancakes and other make-ahead favorites that bring everyone to the table.

Sticky Date (Toffee) French Toast Bake/Casserole! on a baking tray - 1

What Makes This Recipe So Good
What Goes Into Sticky Date French Toast
How To Make Sticky Date French Toast
Tips For Making Date French Toast
Recipe FAQ’s
Sticky Date French Toast Bake Recipe

What Makes This Recipe So Good

This Date French Toast works because it borrows the best parts of sticky date pudding and turns them into a breakfast that feels special without being complicated. The dates melt into the custard as it bakes, creating that naturally sticky french toast texture without needing excessive sugar or syrups. It is rich, soft in the middle, and lightly crisp on top, which is exactly what a great french toast recipe should deliver.

What really sets this date french toast recipe apart is how well it fits into real holiday mornings. It can be prepped ahead, baked all at once, and finished with a lighter butterscotch-style sauce that adds warmth without overpowering the dish.

What Goes Into Sticky Date French Toast

Top shot of ingredients: brioche, dates, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, brown sugar, butter, cream, and water. - 2

This Date French Toast Bake uses simple pantry staples, but each one plays an important role in creating that rich, sticky texture inspired by classic sticky date pudding.

Brioche: Soft, buttery brioche absorbs the custard without falling apart, giving the bake a plush center and lightly golden edges that elevate this french toast recipe.
Pitted Dates: Chopped dates melt into the custard as the bake cooks, adding natural sweetness and creating that signature sticky french toast texture without relying on syrups alone.
Eggs: Eggs bind the custard and give the bake structure, ensuring each slice holds together while still staying soft and creamy inside.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar deepens the flavor with subtle caramel notes, enhancing both the french toast base and the butterscotch-style sauce without overpowering the dates.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

How To Make Sticky Date French Toast

Greased the dish lightly with cooking spray. - 3

Preheat The Oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C | 390°F and lightly grease a 28×23 cm | 9×11 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.

Arranged the bread and dates in the dish. - 4

Arrange Bread And Dates: Place the brioche slices into the dish and scatter the chopped dates underneath and between the bread pieces.

Whisked the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. - 5

Make Custard: Whisk eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon if using, and salt until smooth, frothy, and well combined.

Soak And Bake: Pour the custard over the bread, press gently to soak, then bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes until golden and set.

Cooking the butterscotch with dates. - 7

Cook The Butterscotch: While baking, melt the brown sugar and butter over low heat, gradually stir in the cream, then add dates and simmer until thick.

Close-up shot of Sticky Date French Toast Bake. - 8

Finish And Serve: Remove sauce from heat, thin with boiling water as needed, then serve the Date French Toast warm with a generous drizzle.

This Date French Toast works especially well with Sheet Pan Full Breakfast With Garlic Butter Mushrooms , which brings in savory flavors and a hearty feel that balances the sweetness of the bake. The mushrooms and eggs make the meal feel more substantial without overpowering the french toast.

To round out the table, add Honey Lime Fruit Salad for a fresh, citrusy contrast and Moist Cornbread for something warm and comforting on the side. Together, these three create a brunch spread that feels cozy, balanced, and perfect for relaxed weekend or holiday mornings.

Tips For Making Date French Toast

If you have day-old brioche sitting on the counter, this is the time to use it. Slightly stale bread soaks up the custard better and gives the Date French Toast that soft, custardy center without going soggy.
I always press the bread gently into the custard before baking. It feels small, but it makes a big difference in getting that evenly soaked, sticky french toast texture throughout.
Keep an eye on the top as it bakes. If it starts browning too quickly, I just lay a piece of foil over it for the last part so the inside stays tender.
Let the bake rest for a few minutes before slicing. I know it’s tempting to dive straight in, but this helps it set and makes serving much cleaner.

Challah or thick-sliced white bread work well as substitutes. Just make sure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the custard without falling apart.

No, but using dates in both layers gives the best sticky date flavor. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can leave the chopped dates out of the butterscotch and keep them only in the bake.

The center should feel set when gently pressed, and a knife inserted into the middle should come out mostly clean. The top will be golden and lightly crisp.

A piece taken away from Sticky Date French Toast Bake - 9

Karina in a white and black dress with her hair blowing back, standing in front of her cooktop, cooking salmon in a pan - 10

Get afreeeBook!

IngredientsUSMetric1x2x3x

French Toast Bake:

▢ 14 oz loaf Brioche evenly sliced
▢ 3/4 cup pitted dates roughly chopped
▢ 4 large eggs
▢ 2 1/2 cups milk of choice
▢ 1/3 cup brown sugar or substitute for coconut sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
▢ 1 pinch salt about 1/4 teaspoon

Butterscotch Sauce:

▢ 1 cup brown sugar
▢ 3 tablespoons butter or spread of choice I used an olive oil spread
▢ 1/2 cup thickened cream, heavy cream or coconut cream
▢ 1/4 cup pitted dates roughly chopped
▢ 1/4 cup boiling water optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 200°C | 390°F.
Lightly grease a 28×23-cm | 9×11-inch casserole dish with cooking oil spray or a light coating of butter. Place the bread slices into the dish, and arrange the dates all around, under and in between the bread slices.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon (if using), and salt until frothy and well combined. Pour the egg wash over the bread. Press the bread lightly into the egg wash to evenly coat.
Bake in preheated oven util cooked through and golden on top (about 40-45 minutes).
While the french toast is in the oven, prepare sauce:
Combine the sugar and butter in a medium sized saucepan on low heat. Occasionally stir until the brown sugar has melted through the butter, When the mixture is hot and steaming (after about 2 minutes), gradually add the cream in small amounts, stirring in between each addition, until all of the cream is in the pan. Add in the dates and allow the sauce to bubble up and froth, while still occasionally stirring. After about 8 minutes the sauce should be thickened and the dates will be soft. Take off heat and allow to cool slightly. Pour in 1 tablespoon of boiling water at a time (whisking after each addition), until reaching your desired consistency.
Serve a slice with a drizzle of butterscotch and softened date pieces!

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.