Galentines Brunch tastes like buttery brioche soaked in vanilla custard with juicy strawberries, crisp maple pepper turkey bacon, and a bright raspberry mimosa to tie it all together. It suits a cozy group of friends and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from prep to plate. I host this every February, and my pals still message me about the candied turkey bacon.
Why Choose This Galentines Brunch
Galentines Brunch stays simple because the oven does most of the work with a make-ahead French toast bake and sheet pan turkey bacon. You mix, pour, and bake while the pitcher cocktail chills itself. Your oven plays brunch DJ while you sip coffee and set the table.
I built this menu for flexibility. Scale it for two or twelve without stress. I also share swaps for gluten-free and dairy-free eaters, so everyone gets a plate they love.
Ingredients You Need
Strawberry Brioche French Toast Bake (serves 6)
- 1 pound brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old holds shape best; bakery or Trader Joe’s works)
- 6 large eggs
- 1.5 cups whole milk (use oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1 cup half-and-half (swap more milk if you prefer lighter custard)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract, optional
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups sliced strawberries (frozen, thawed and patted dry, also work)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar, for topping
Maple Pepper Candied Turkey Bacon
- 12 slices thick-cut turkey bacon
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch cayenne pepper, optional
Raspberry Mimosa Pitcher
- 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 bottle dry prosecco or cava, chilled
- 1.5 cups orange juice or pink grapefruit juice, chilled
- 1/4 cup raspberry liqueur, optional
Optional Sides and Garnishes
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- Rimmed sheet pan and oven-safe rack
- Mixing bowls and whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serrated knife and cutting board
- Aluminum foil or parchment
- Pitcher and fine mesh strainer
How to Make Galentines Brunch
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil and set a rack on top for the turkey bacon.
- Build the French toast bake. Add the bread cubes and strawberries to the greased dish. Whisk eggs, milk, half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Pour the custard over the bread, press gently to soak, drizzle melted butter, and sprinkle turbinado sugar.
- Candied turkey bacon setup. Lay turkey bacon on the rack in a single layer. Brush maple syrup over the slices and sprinkle black pepper and a pinch of cayenne.
- Bake both. Place the French toast on the center rack and the turkey bacon beneath it. Bake 25 minutes, then brush the bacon with more maple syrup from the pan and rotate the casserole. Bake 20 to 25 minutes more until the casserole sets and turns golden on top, and the bacon turns glossy and crisp. Pull the bacon earlier if it finishes fast.
- Mix the raspberry mimosa. Mash raspberries with sugar and lemon juice. Strain into a pitcher to remove seeds. Add orange juice and raspberry liqueur if using. Top with chilled prosecco just before pouring.
- Rest and slice. Let the French toast stand 10 minutes so it slices cleanly. Cut into squares. If you want extra flair, dust with powdered sugar or spoon on a little yogurt.
- Plate and pour. Serve a slice of French toast with candied turkey bacon on the side. Pour mimosas into flutes, then add a raspberry or a mint leaf for a pop of color.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Use day-old brioche so the custard soaks in without turning mushy.
- Dry thawed strawberries with paper towels so the bake stays custardy, not watery.
- Mix the custard until no streaks of egg remain for even texture.
- Do not crowd the turkey bacon. Space the slices so hot air circulates and crisps the edges.
- Brush the turkey bacon twice with maple for a lacquered finish that still snaps.
- Chill the sparkling wine well so the pitcher stays bubbly without ice.
- Sweeten the mimosa to taste. Taste the puree and adjust sugar before you add bubbles.
- Let the casserole rest 10 minutes. Slicing too soon causes collapse.
- Avoid overbaking. Pull the casserole when the center jiggles slightly and a knife comes out with moist crumbs, not liquid.
- Keep the oven racks centered. Placing the casserole too low scorches the bottom.
Variations I’ve Tried
- Blueberry lemon version: swap strawberries for blueberries and add 1 tablespoon lemon zest.
- Chocolate cherry version: fold in chopped cherries and sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top.
- Dairy-free: use oat milk, skip half-and-half, and grease the dish with coconut oil.
- Gluten-free: use a sturdy gluten-free brioche or soft sandwich bread and reduce milk by 1/4 cup to match absorption.
- Mocktail: use sparkling water or nonalcoholic prosecco with the raspberry citrus base.
How to Serve Galentines Brunch
Slice the French toast bake into generous squares and top with yogurt or whipped cream, plus a few fresh berries. Fan two strips of candied turkey bacon on the side for sweet-salty balance. Pour raspberry mimosas and set out coffee with a dash of cinnamon. Add a simple yogurt parfait bar if you want extra color and crunch.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Assemble the French toast bake up to 18 hours in advance. Cover and chill, then bake straight from the fridge and add 5 to 10 minutes if needed.
- Par-cook the turkey bacon for 15 minutes, cool, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Finish in a 400°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes and brush with maple again.
- Make the raspberry puree a day ahead and chill. Add juice and bubbles right before serving so it stays lively.
- Store leftover French toast in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat covered at 300°F for 12 to 15 minutes, then uncover 3 minutes to re-crisp the top.
- Refrigerate turkey bacon for 4 days or freeze for 1 month. Reheat on a rack at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Avoid freezing the full casserole. Freeze individual slices tightly wrapped and reheat at 325°F until warm.
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving for 6 servings, including one slice of French toast, two strips of candied turkey bacon, and one mimosa:
- Calories: 820
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 83 g
- Total fat: 36 g
- Saturated fat: 16 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugars: 51 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
Numbers vary based on bread, turkey bacon thickness, and the juice or wine you use.
Galentines Brunch Recipe
A festive and delicious brunch recipe perfect for celebrating Galentines Day with friends.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.
- Dip each slice of brioche bread into the egg mixture, soaking both sides.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the soaked bread slices until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve warm topped with maple syrup and fresh strawberries.
Notes
Use brioche bread for a richer flavor and texture. Add your favorite fruits or whipped cream as desired for extra flair.