This irresistible French Toast Casserole takes a beloved breakfast classic to new heights in just one hour. Perfect for lazy weekend mornings or holiday gatherings, this make-ahead wonder combines buttery bread pieces with a rich custard filling, creating pure breakfast magic. With only 15 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you’ll get all the flavors of traditional French toast without standing at the stove. Each serving delivers the perfect balance of crispy edges and custardy center, making breakfast time simply unforgettable.
Ingredients
- Bread: 1 pound loaf brioche, challah, french bread, or white bread (cut into 1-inch chunks)
- Wet Mixture: 8 large eggs, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups milk
- Sweeteners & Flavoring: 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Topping Ingredients
- Sugars: 1/4 cup each of light brown sugar and granulated sugar
- Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Butter: 2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prep the Dish: Grease a 9×13” baking dish and arrange bread chunks evenly
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk eggs, then blend in cream, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla
- Combine: Pour mixture over bread, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate overnight
- Prepare Topping: Mix sugars and spices, then blend in cold butter pieces until crumbly. Refrigerate
- Bake: Next morning, preheat to 350°F, add topping, and bake 45-50 minutes until golden
- Serve: Let rest 10 minutes, then top with syrup, berries, or whipped cream as desired
Make-Ahead Tips
This French toast casserole is perfect for busy mornings! You can prep it the night before and pop it in the oven when you wake up. For the best results, make sure all your bread pieces get a good soak in the custard mixture. The overnight rest lets the bread soak up all those yummy flavors, making each bite extra special.
Bread Choices
While the recipe suggests brioche, challah, French bread, or white bread, each option brings something special to the table. Brioche and challah create the most luxurious, buttery result. French bread offers a slightly firmer texture, while regular white bread works great in a pinch. Just make sure your bread is a day or two old – slightly stale bread soaks up the custard mixture better than fresh!
Serving Suggestions
Turn your French toast casserole into a beautiful breakfast spread! Add fresh berries, a drizzle of warm maple syrup, and a dollop of whipped cream. For a special touch, dust it with powdered sugar right before serving. Want to make it extra cozy? Serve it with a side of crispy bacon and hot coffee or tea. This casserole stays warm for a while, making it perfect for lazy weekend brunches with family and friends.
Storage & Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or transfer portions to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or warm larger portions in a 325°F oven until heated through. The topping might not stay as crispy, but it’ll still taste amazing!
French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Pastry Blender
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 pound loaf of brioche, challah, french bread, or white bread
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 Tablespoons cold butter cut into pieces
Instructions
- Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13” baking dish. Cut bread into 1 inch chunks and place in dish.
- Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cream and milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and vanilla and mix well. Pour evenly over the bread cubes.
- Gently toss the bread around a little to make sure the top and bottom pieces all get dipped in the egg mixture. Spread out evenly, cover dish, and refrigerate overnight.
- For the Topping: Place brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl and stir to combine. Cut cold butter into small chunks and add to the bowl. Use a pastry blender or your hands to combine the mixture until crumbly. Cover and refrigerate until morning.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Uncover french toast pan and sprinkle the topping evenly over top. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until top is golden and casserole is set.
- Allow french toast to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Top with homemade syrup, berries, whipped cream or any other toppings you’d like.
