If there’s one thing we love around here, it’s a make-ahead breakfast. There’s nothing better than waking up and just popping a dish in the oven to feed a hungry household. This Caramel Bottom French Toast Bake is exactly one of those recipes, and might be one of the tastiest breakfast bakes we’ve made yet. Thick slices of French bread sit in a homemade caramel sauce, then soak up a rich custard overnight. Baked to golden perfection, it’s the kind of dish that makes you look like a pro without having to flip a single slice of French toast at the stove.

The star of the show here is without a doubt the caramel base. A simple combo of butter and dark brown sugar gets melted down into a silky sauce on the stovetop, then it’s poured into the bottom of the baking dish. Layer on some stale slice of french bread and then comes the classic mixture of milk and eggs. Pop it in the fridge and by morning the bread has soaked up all the creamy goodness.

After a good 45–55 minute stint in the oven, the top is beautifully puffed and golden, while underneath, that caramel layer has turned into gooey caramel goodness. A final dusting of powdered sugar and breakfast is ready to be served. This dish is perfect for holidays, weekend guests, or those mornings when you want something extra special but don’t want to fuss around in the kitchen. Give it a try and I’m sure your fam will love it just as much as we do.