Amazing Overnight French Toast Casserole

Oh, holiday mornings! I just love them, don’t you? The twinkling lights, the cozy PJs, and the sheer *joy* of not having to rush anywhere. But let’s be real, sometimes the thought of making a big, impressive brunch from scratch right after waking up can feel a little… overwhelming. That’s exactly why my Overnight French toast casserole became my absolute hero for those special mornings. You just do all the work the night before, pop it in the fridge, and then wake up to the most delicious, comforting breakfast practically waiting for you in the oven. Trust me, it’s a game-changer for making your holiday mornings wonderfully stress-free and utterly delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Overnight French Toast Casserole

Seriously, you are going to *adore* this dish. It ticks all the boxes for your perfect holiday brunch, or honestly, any Saturday morning you want to feel a little special:

• Make-Ahead Magic: This is the big one! You prep it fully the night before and just bake it in the morning. Less stress, more cozy-ing up with coffee.
• Irresistible Flavor: Challah or brioche bread soaked in a creamy, cinnamon-spiced custard? With a sweet, buttery pecan topping? Yes, please! It’s pure indulgence.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a holiday gathering or just a lazy weekend, everyone devours this. It smells amazing while baking and tastes even better.
• So Customizable: While this recipe is perfection as is, it’s also super easy to tweak with different breads or add-ins.

Ingredients for Your Overnight French Toast Casserole

Alright, let’s talk about what magic ingredients we need to make this happen! The beauty of this overnight French toast casserole really comes down to using fantastic quality ingredients that soak up all those yummy flavors. That’s why picking the right bread is key – I’m a huge fan of challah or brioche because they’re just naturally a little sweet and have a lovely texture that holds up so well overnight. They soak up that custard like a dream without getting mushy. You’ll want about a pound of that glorious bread, cut into nice, chunky cubes. Then we’ve got the heart of it: eggs, milk, and a little bit of heavy cream for extra richness. Don’t forget the cinnamon, a splash of vanilla, and a pinch of salt to make everything sing!

And for that dreamy, streusel-like topping? We’ll mix up some butter, brown sugar (oh, the molasses goodness!), a touch of flour for structure, more cinnamon, and if you’re feeling fancy and nutty, some chopped pecans. Yum!

• 1 loaf (1 pound) challah or brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this deliciousness going! Making this Overnight French toast casserole is honestly so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing it all along. It’s all about doing the bulk of the work the night before, so your morning is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps and get ready for some serious breakfast magic!

Preparing the Bread and Custard Base

First things first, grab a nice 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a little butter or cooking spray so nothing sticks. Now, arrange those lovely cubes of challah or brioche bread evenly in the dish. Don’t be shy, pack them in there pretty well! Next, in a big bowl, whisk up your eggs, milk, and that bit of heavy cream. Toss in the granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and well combined. This liquid gold is what’s going to transform that bread into the most amazing French toast!

The Overnight Magic: Chilling Your French Toast Casserole

This is where the real ‘overnight’ part comes in, and it’s crucial for the best texture! Pour that lovely custard mixture all over the bread cubes. Once it’s poured, gently press down on the bread with your spatula or the back of a spoon. You really want to make sure every single piece gets a good soak. It helps the bread absorb all that eggy, cinnamony goodness! Cover the whole dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Pop it into the refrigerator and let it work its magic overnight – at least 8 hours, but up to 24 hours is totally fine. This step is so important because it allows the bread to fully soak up the custard, which means every bite will be soft, custardy, and utterly delicious. Skipping this step would mean a drier, less flavorful casserole, so don’t you dare skip it!

SAVE IT

Crafting the Perfect Topping

While your casserole is chilling, let’s whip up that irresistible topping! Grab a little bowl and dump in your melted butter, packed brown sugar, a quarter cup of flour, and that other teaspoon of cinnamon. If you’re using pecans, toss those in now too. Now, use a fork or your fingers to mix it all together until it forms a nice, crumbly texture. It should look a bit like coarse sand. This sweet, buttery topping is going to get all golden and delicious in the oven, giving your French toast casserole that perfect sweet crunch!

Baking and Resting Your Overnight French Toast Casserole

Okay, morning has arrived! Take your casserole out of the fridge. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the dish and sprinkle that crumbly topping evenly all over the top of the soaked bread. Now, carefully place it in the preheated oven. You’ll want to bake it for about 45 to 55 minutes. You’re looking for it to be beautifully golden brown on top and nice and set in the center. To test if it’s ready, you can gently shake the dish – it shouldn’t jiggle too much. You can also stick a knife in the center; it should come out feeling mostly clean. Once it’s done, resist the urge to dive in right away! Let it rest on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This little pause lets everything settle, making it easier to serve and ensuring the perfect texture.

SAVE IT

SAVE IT

SAVE IT

Tips for the Best Overnight French Toast Casserole

I’ve made this Overnight French toast casserole more times than I can count, and over the years, I’ve picked up a few little tricks to make it absolutely perfect every single time. It’s all about those little touches that take it from good to *wow*!

• Bread is Your Best Friend: While challah and brioche are my go-tos for their rich, eggy texture, don’t be afraid to experiment! Day-old French bread or even a good quality Italian bread can work, but they might need a bit longer to soak. I usually aim for bread that’s at least a day old; it’s just drier and soaks up that custardy goodness way better than fresh bread.
• Custard Consistency is Key: If you want an extra-rich casserole, try swapping half the milk for half-and-half or even light cream, just like in my tender scones. It makes the whole thing so decadent! Just make sure you don’t over-mix once you add the flour for the topping – you want it crumbly, not pasted.
• Don’t Skimp on the Soak Time: Seriously, this is the most important tip for an Overnight French toast casserole. Letting it sit in the fridge overnight allows the bread to really get saturated. If you’re super short on time, aim for at least 4-6 hours, but overnight is truly magical for the texture.
• Even Baking is a Dream: My Bundt pan is usually my friend, but for casseroles like this, a standard 9×13 inch pan works best for even cooking. If your topping starts to get too brown before the center is set, you can always loosely tent it with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Baking Inspiration

Now that you’ve got this incredible Overnight French toast casserole ready to go, you might be wondering what else to serve alongside it for that full holiday brunch experience. Oh, I have a few ideas! It’s wonderful all on its own, but a few extra touches really make it shine. A drizzle of warm maple syrup is always a classic, of course. Fresh berries, like raspberries or blueberries, add a lovely tart contrast and a pop of color. For something a little more festive, imagine a dollop of whipped cream or even a spoonful of my homemade cranberry sauce – the tanginess is just divine with the sweet casserole!

And if you want something else to bake, maybe some tender scones or a fruit crisp would be absolutely perfect. Thinking about what to serve alongside this recipe is half the fun of holiday baking!

Frequently Asked Questions about Overnight French Toast

Got questions about making your Overnight French toast casserole? I totally get it! It’s great to have all the details to make sure it comes out perfectly. Here are a few things folks often ask me, and don’t forget to check out my other breakfast and brunch recipes for more ideas!

What Kind of Bread is Best for Overnight French Toast?

For the absolute best results in your overnight French toast recipe, I really recommend using challah or brioche bread. They’re rich, a little sweet, and have a beautiful airy texture that soaks up all that yummy custard without getting soggy. Day-old French or Italian bread can work in a pinch, just make sure it’s a bit stale!

Can I Freeze Overnight French Toast Casserole?

You bet! This is such a good make-ahead breakfast. You can totally freeze the unbaked casserole. Just make sure it’s wrapped super tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then bake as usual. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s still a little chilly.

How Long Can I Refrigerate This Overnight French Toast Recipe?

The magic really happens when it chills overnight, so aim for at least 8 hours. Honestly, I’ve left it in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and it’s still amazing. It just means the flavors get even cozier and the bread gets perfectly tender. For more make-ahead breakfast ideas, check out my awesome overnight oats!

Nutritional Information

Wondering about the nitty-gritty details? Here’s an estimated breakdown of what you’re looking at per serving of this delicious Overnight French toast casserole. Keep in mind, these numbers can wiggle a bit depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use, like the type of bread or amount of nuts, but this should give you a good idea!

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 550
Sugar: 40g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Protein: 15g

Share Your Holiday Baking Creations!

Alright, now that you’ve made this incredible Overnight French Toast Casserole, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear all about it! Did you make it for a special holiday brunch? Did your family rave about it? Please, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Sharing your baking adventures helps everyone else get inspired!

Overnight French Toast Casserole

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A simple overnight French toast casserole recipe perfect for holiday brunches. Prepare it the night before for an easy, delicious breakfast.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 55 min
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 min
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 loaf (1 pound) challah or brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Arrange bread cubes in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt.
3. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Press down gently to ensure bread is soaked.
4. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight.
5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and pecans (if using). Mix until crumbly.
6. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the French toast casserole.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
8. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use half-and-half instead of milk.
• Serve with your favorite syrup or fresh fruit.
• This recipe is a great alternative to meal planning for busy mornings.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 40g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 200mg