1-Getting baked French toast just right: starts with a few easy steps that anyone can follow. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 13-by-9-inch baking pan to keep things from sticking. This sets the stage for a smooth baking process.

2-Next, cube the bread from one loaf of crusty sourdough or French bread and place it evenly in the prepared pan. In a large bowl, whisk together eight eggs, two cups of whole milk, half a cup of heavy cream, half a cup of granulated sugar, half a cup of brown sugar, and two tablespoons of vanilla extract until fully combined. Pour this custard mixture over the bread cubes, making sure it’s spread out evenly.

3-You can let it sit for a bit or refrigerate overnight to let the flavors soak in deeper. For immediate baking, mix the topping by combining half a cup of flour, half a cup of firmly packed brown sugar, one teaspoon of cinnamon, a quarter teaspoon of salt, optional freshly grated nutmeg, and half a cup of cold butter cut into pieces until it forms a crumbly texture. Sprinkle this evenly over the top before baking.

4-Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes for a softer finish or up to 1 hour for something firmer and crispier. Once done, serve it warm with butter, maple syrup, and one cup of fresh blueberries on top. This method ensures a dish that’s full of flavor and just the right texture.