Vegan French Toast Casserole

And a few important ingredient notes:

• Bread - Sturdy, crusty, at least day-old bread. 2 or 3 days old is better. Because it's dry it sucks up all of that lovely creamy custard more effectively. It's a great way to use up stale bread! French bread, Italian bread, or sourdough bread work well. Vegan brioche or challah too if you have access to them. Use gluten-free bread if necessary. Fresh bread will not soak up the custard properly and you won't get the intended texture. If that's all you've got, see my tip below.
• Silken or soft tofu - This is an egg-free French toast casserole recipe and silken or soft tofu is our protein-packed egg replacer. By using it you get exactly the same French toast casserole texture. Any firmness of silken tofu is fine, or tofu labelled "soft". Other types of tofu do not work well in this recipe.
• Light coconut milk and vegan butter - This combo is here to make up for the flavor, fat, and richness that eggs would usually provide in a French toast casserole recipe.
• Sugar - You can use white, cane, coconut, or brown sugar. I personally like to use brown sugar for the extra flavor it gives the casserole.

Egg-free French toast casserole is really easy to make. Here's how (see my recipe video if you're more of a visual learner):

1. Blend up the "custard" in a blender.
2. Cube the bread and pile it into a casserole dish.
3. Pour the custard over the bread cubes. Let it soak anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight. Sprinkle with some sugar and optional nuts, then bake.
4. Mix up the icing and drizzle it generously over the crispy, crunchy top of the vegan French toast bake right before serving.

Vegan French Toast Casserole is best when served warm from the oven. The drizzle of icing is all you really need with it, but it's great with toppings too. Pretty much anything you'd serve with pancakes works. Favorites of mine include:

• Fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries or blueberries
• Frozen berry compote
• Whipped coconut cream
• Roasted strawberries
• Caramelized bananas
• Maple syrup

Making In Advance & Storing Leftovers

To make ahead add the cubes of bread and custard mixture to a baking dish as per the recipe, cover tightly, and store in the fridge overnight. Then bake when you need it in the morning. Sprinkle with the optional sugar and nuts right before baking. It's perfect to make on Christmas Eve for Christmas morning brunch.

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