Wake up and smell the MAPLE, y’all! This Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake is about to become your new morning obsession. It’s an epic, flavor-packed dish that’s equal parts cozy, comforting, and downright INSANE. We’re talking layers of buttery, cinnamon-y goodness, all crowned with a pecan-studded maple topping that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. Trust me, this is the ultimate breakfast indulgence that’s about to make your mornings legendary.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake
This maple-infused breakfast bake is an absolute GAME-CHANGER. First of all, the aroma alone is enough to get you out of bed – the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple will have your mouth watering before you even take a bite. But once you dive in, prepare for your world to be ROCKED. The base is a moist, tender bread pudding-like texture, made even more epic with swirls of cinnamon and pockets of warm, gooey maple. And the crowning glory? That incredible pecan-studded maple topping that takes this dish from amazing to LEGENDARY. Trust me, this is the kind of breakfast that will have your friends and family begging for the recipe. It’s the ultimate in cozy, comforting indulgence – and I’m not even sorry about it!
Ingredients
For this Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake, you’ll need a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly EPIC. You’ll start with some cubed bread or challah to create the base, along with eggs, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. The real magic happens with the pecan topping, made by tossing pecans in more maple syrup, brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon. Get ready for an explosion of sweet, nutty, cinnamon-y flavor in every bite!
- 8 cups – cubed bread or challah
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups – milk
- 1/2 cup – maple syrup, plus 2 tablespoons for the topping
- 1/2 cup – brown sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for the topping
- 2 teaspoons – ground cinnamon, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon – salt
- 1 1/2 cups – pecan halves
Ingredient Substitutions
- Bread: Sourdough, brioche, or French toast-style bread would all work beautifully. Adjust the amount of custard ingredients as needed to get the perfect bread-to-liquid ratio.
- Nuts: If you’re not a pecan fan, you could swap in walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of your favorite nuts. Just be sure to adjust the maple and brown sugar amounts accordingly.
How to Make Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake
Let’s dive into the steps to create this INSANE breakfast masterpiece!
Step 1: Prep Work
First, let’s get the bread ready. Cube up some hearty bread or challah into bite-sized pieces and let them sit out for a bit to get a little stale. This will help the bread soak up all the delicious custard-like filling. While that’s happening, grease up a baking dish and preheat your oven.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Next, it’s time to make the maple-cinnamon custard that will transform those plain bread cubes into something truly EPIC. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and combined. Gently fold in the bread cubes, making sure they’re evenly coated.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now for the LEGENDARY pecan topping. In a separate bowl, toss the pecans with more maple syrup, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon until they’re nicely coated. Spread the bread mixture into your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the pecan topping all over the top.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Pop that beauty in the oven and let it work its magic. In about 45-55 minutes, your kitchen will be filled with the most INSANE aroma, and you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece ready to devour. I’m talking layers of soft, custardy bread, warm maple, cinnamon, and crunchy pecans in every single bite. You’re welcome.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Extra Indulgence: Try adding a handful of chocolate chips or chopped apple to the bread mixture for some extra decadence.
- Nut Swap: You could also try swapping in different nuts, like walnuts or almonds, for a fun twist on the topping.
- Drizzle On Top: For an extra special treat, drizzle the whole thing with an extra dose of maple syrup or a cream cheese glaze once it comes out of the oven.
- Go Gluten-Free: To make this Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake gluten-free, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free bread or rolls, and use gluten-free all-purpose flour in the custard mixture.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Storage: You can keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven for a quick, mouth-watering breakfast any day of the week.
Reheat: Microwave individual portions or bake in the oven until warm and toasty.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the whole dish the night before, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it off in the morning. Just remember to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it’ll be going in the oven chilled.
Nutrition Information
Let’s be real – this Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake is more of an EPIC indulgence than a health food. But hey, sometimes you just need to treat yourself, am I right? Each serving packs about 400 calories, with a decent amount of carbs, fat, and a touch of protein to help fuel your day. And with all that cinnamon, maple, and pecan goodness, it’s pretty much a guaranteed mood-booster too. So go ahead, dive in and enjoy every last bite – your taste buds (and your soul) will thank you.
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the bake
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Protein: 11 g
- Carbs: 52 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this breakfast bake ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. You can assemble the whole dish the night before, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it off in the morning. This gives the bread time to soak up all those incredible flavors. Just remember to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it’ll be going in the oven chilled.
Can I use a different type of bread?
For sure! While I love the texture that challah or brioche provides, you can definitely switch it up. Sourdough, French toast bread, or even day-old croissants would all work beautifully. Just adjust the amount of custard ingredients as needed to get the perfect bread-to-liquid ratio.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
No problem! To make this Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake gluten-free, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free bread or rolls. You can also use gluten-free all-purpose flour in place of regular flour in the custard mixture. Easy peasy!
Can I add other mix-ins to the dish?
Absolutely! This recipe is a total flavor playground. Try folding in chopped apples, dried cranberries, or even chocolate chips for some extra indulgence. You could also top it with a drizzle of caramel or a sprinkling of powdered sugar for a stunning presentation.
How long does this breakfast bake last?
This Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just be sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until nice and warm. The flavors just get better with time, so don’t be afraid to make a big batch!
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Print
Delightful Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Maple Pecan Breakfast Bake is a delightful and hearty dish perfect for a cozy morning. With a blend of oats, pecans, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s both nutritious and delicious.
Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 cups almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped pecans, maple syrup, almond milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
5. Sprinkle dried cranberries on top.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
7. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve warm with additional maple syrup if desired.
Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Great for meal prep!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: breakfast, bake, maple, pecan