Overnight French Toast Casserole

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Overnight French Toast Casserole is a rich, custard-like breakfast bake that makes mornings easy and stress-free. By preparing everything the night before, you wake up to a dish that’s ready to pop in the oven, filling your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon, vanilla, and baked bread. Perfect for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or lazy weekends, this casserole captures all the flavors of classic French toast without the need to flip slices on a skillet. Made with chunks of bread soaked in a creamy custard and baked until golden, it’s finished with a drizzle of maple syrup or dusting of powdered sugar for the ultimate breakfast indulgence. Ingredients 1 loaf French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old works best) 8 large eggs 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness) ½ cup heavy cream ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional) ¼ teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons butter, melted (for drizzling) Maple syrup and powdered sugar (for serving) Preparation Step 1: Prepare Bread Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter. Arrange cubed bread evenly in the dish. Step 2: Make Custard In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugars, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt until well blended. Step 3: Assemble Casserole Pour custard evenly over bread cubes, pressing down lightly to help absorb. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours). Step 4: Bake Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove dish from fridge 20 minutes before baking. Drizzle melted butter over the top. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 20–25 minutes until golden and set. Step 5: Serve Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup. Variations Berry French Toast Casserole: Add blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries before baking. Apple Cinnamon: Layer in sliced apples sautéed with cinnamon and sugar. Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle pecans or walnuts on top before baking. Cream Cheese Swirl: Add dollops of sweetened cream cheese between bread layers. Cooking Notes Brioche or challah bread gives the best texture. For a crispier top, broil for 2 minutes at the end of baking. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce brown sugar slightly. Serving Suggestions Pair with bacon or sausage for a savory balance. Serve with fresh fruit salad for brightness. Add whipped cream or flavored syrups for a decadent brunch. Tips Use slightly stale bread—it absorbs custard better. Prep the night before for easy holiday mornings. Store leftovers in fridge up to 4 days or freeze slices for 2 months. Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture. Timing Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 6+ hours (overnight recommended) Cooking Time: 55 minutes Total Time: 7+ hours (including chill) Nutritional Information (per serving, 8 servings) Calories: 420 Protein: 13g Sodium: 470mg FAQs Q1: Can I use regular sandwich bread? Yes, but it won’t be as fluffy. Thick breads like brioche or challah are best. Q2: Can I prepare overnight French toast casserole the same day? Yes, but let it soak at least 1–2 hours for best results. Q3: Can I make this dairy-free? Yes, substitute almond or oat milk and dairy-free cream. Q4: Can I freeze this casserole? Yes, bake first, cool completely, then freeze. Reheat before serving. Q5: Can I add toppings before baking? Yes, nuts, fruit, or streusel topping work wonderfully. Conclusion Overnight French Toast Casserole is a make-ahead breakfast that delivers all the comfort of classic French toast with none of the hassle. With a custard-soaked bread base, warm cinnamon flavor, and golden baked finish, it’s the perfect dish for holidays, brunches, or any morning when you want something indulgent yet easy.

Overnight French Toast Casserole is a rich, custard-like breakfast bake that makes mornings easy and stress-free. By preparing everything the night before, you wake up to a dish that’s ready to pop in the oven, filling your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon, vanilla, and baked bread. Perfect for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or lazy weekends, this casserole captures all the flavors of classic French toast without the need to flip slices on a skillet.

Made with chunks of bread soaked in a creamy custard and baked until golden, it’s finished with a drizzle of maple syrup or dusting of powdered sugar for the ultimate breakfast indulgence.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old works best)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted (for drizzling)
  • Maple syrup and powdered sugar (for serving)

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare Bread

  • Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
  • Arrange cubed bread evenly in the dish.

Step 2: Make Custard

  • In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugars, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt until well blended.

Step 3: Assemble Casserole

  • Pour custard evenly over bread cubes, pressing down lightly to help absorb.
  • Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours).

Step 4: Bake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Remove dish from fridge 20 minutes before baking.
  • Drizzle melted butter over the top.
  • Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 20–25 minutes until golden and set.

Step 5: Serve

  • Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.

Variations

  • Berry French Toast Casserole: Add blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries before baking.
  • Apple Cinnamon: Layer in sliced apples sautéed with cinnamon and sugar.
  • Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
  • Cream Cheese Swirl: Add dollops of sweetened cream cheese between bread layers.

Cooking Notes

  • Brioche or challah bread gives the best texture.
  • For a crispier top, broil for 2 minutes at the end of baking.
  • If you prefer less sweetness, reduce brown sugar slightly.

Serving Suggestions

  • Pair with bacon or sausage for a savory balance.
  • Serve with fresh fruit salad for brightness.
  • Add whipped cream or flavored syrups for a decadent brunch.

Tips

  • Use slightly stale bread,it absorbs custard better.
  • Prep the night before for easy holiday mornings.
  • Store leftovers in fridge up to 4 days or freeze slices for 2 months.
  • Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture.

Timing

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chill Time: 6+ hours (overnight recommended)
  • Cooking Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 7+ hours (including chill)

Nutritional Information (per serving, 8 servings)

  • Calories: 420
  • Protein: 13g
  • Sodium: 470mg

FAQs

Q1: Can I use regular sandwich bread?

  • Yes, but it won’t be as fluffy. Thick breads like brioche or challah are best.

Q2: Can I prepare overnight French toast casserole the same day?

  • Yes, but let it soak at least 1–2 hours for best results.

Q3: Can I make this dairy-free?

  • Yes, substitute almond or oat milk and dairy-free cream.

Q4: Can I freeze this casserole?

  • Yes, bake first, cool completely, then freeze. Reheat before serving.

Q5: Can I add toppings before baking?

  • Yes, nuts, fruit, or streusel topping work wonderfully.

Conclusion

Overnight French Toast Casserole is a make-ahead breakfast that delivers all the comfort of classic French toast with none of the hassle. With a custard-soaked bread base, warm cinnamon flavor, and golden baked finish, it’s the perfect dish for holidays, brunches, or any morning when you want something indulgent yet easy.

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