Irresistible French Toast Casserole Recipe for Cozy Mornings

French toast casserole elevates a classic breakfast into a crowd-pleasing morning marvel that brings comfort and joy to any gathering.

Layers of soft bread absorb a luxurious custard mixture, creating a decadent dish that feels both homey and elegant.

Weekend brunch enthusiasts crave this delightful make-ahead sensation that simplifies morning meal preparation.

Rich and indulgent, the casserole blends sweet and creamy textures with a hint of warmth from cinnamon and vanilla.

Home cooks adore how effortlessly this dish comes together, requiring minimal morning effort for maximum deliciousness.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, allowing for creative additions and personal touches that make each version unique.

Families and friends will love gathering around the table to savor every single bite.

How to Save and Reheat Casserole Slices

• Refrigerate: Transfer any remaining casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 weeks. Label the container with the date.
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of milk to prevent dryness and restore moisture.

What to Serve with French Toast Casserole

• Brew the Perfect Morning Companion: Pair this French toast casserole with a rich, medium-roast coffee that complements the sweet, creamy texture. The coffee's robust flavor will balance the dish's sweetness and enhance the overall breakfast experience.
• Elevate with Fruity Freshness: Serve alongside a mixed berry compote or fresh strawberries. The bright, tart fruits cut through the richness of the casserole and add a refreshing contrast to the warm, cinnamon-spiced dish.
• Create a Breakfast Harmony: Add a side of crispy bacon or maple-glazed breakfast sausage. The salty, savory meat provides a delightful counterpoint to the sweet, custardy casserole, creating a perfectly balanced morning meal.
• Enhance with Maple Magic: Drizzle pure maple syrup over the casserole just before serving. The natural sweetness and depth of maple will elevate the dish's flavors and add an extra layer of indulgence to your breakfast.

Ways to Change Up the Flavor or Toppings

• Nutty Crunch Casserole: Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds over the topping before baking, adding extra texture and rich nutty flavor to the classic French toast recipe.
• Berry Bliss Variation: Layer fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries between bread cubes before adding the egg mixture, creating bursts of fruity sweetness throughout the casserole.
• Chocolate Lovers' Edition: Fold mini chocolate chips into the bread cubes and drizzle melted chocolate over the finished casserole for an indulgent breakfast treat that chocolate enthusiasts will adore.
• Caramel Apple Remix: Dice fresh apples and mix them with caramel sauce, then fold into the bread cubes before pouring the egg mixture, offering a decadent autumn-inspired version of the classic breakfast dish.

Why French Toast Casserole Is a Brunch Favorite

• Effortless Overnight Prep: Prepare this French toast casserole the night before, making morning cooking a breeze with minimal morning effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Texture: Enjoy a perfect blend of crispy, crunchy topping and soft, custardy bread interior that creates a mouthwatering contrast in every single bite.
• Customizable Breakfast Delight: Easily adapt the recipe by adding fresh berries, nuts, or changing spices to suit personal taste preferences, making it a versatile breakfast option for family gatherings or weekend brunches.

What You’ll Need for a Classic French Toast Bake

• French Bread, Challah: Soft, slightly stale bread perfect for soaking up custard mixture and creating a rich texture.
• Day-Old Bread: Slightly dry bread absorbs liquid better and prevents soggy results.

• Eggs, Milk, Heavy Cream: Rich base that creates a luxurious, creamy texture for the casserole.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor and enhances overall taste.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the top.

• All-Purpose Flour, Brown Sugar: Creates a crunchy, sweet streusel-like layer on top of the casserole.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and classic breakfast flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the topping and creates a rich, crumbly texture.

How to Prepare and Bake This Easy Breakfast Dish

Step 1: Prepare Bread Base

Slice bread into bite-sized cubes. Spread cubes evenly across a generously greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Ensure bread covers the entire bottom of the dish.

Step 2: Create Custard Mixture

• Eggs
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract
• Granulated sugar

Pour this silky liquid evenly over bread cubes, ensuring each piece gets soaked.

Step 3: Chill and Soak

Cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or ideally overnight. This allows bread to absorb all delicious custard flavors.

Step 4: Craft Crumble Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Kosher salt

Cut cold butter into mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer topping to a sealed container and refrigerate.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from refrigerator and discard plastic wrap. Sprinkle prepared crumble topping generously across soaked bread.

Bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes until golden and set. Cooking time varies based on desired texture.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let casserole rest for 10 minutes. Slice into generous portions. Serve warm with maple syrup or powdered sugar dusting.

Tips for Soaking Bread and Baking Evenly

• Select Hearty Bread: Choose thick-cut, day-old bread like brioche or challah for maximum flavor absorption and rich texture.
• Soak Strategically: Allow bread to soak completely in the egg mixture for at least 4 hours, ensuring deep flavor penetration and soft, custardy consistency.
• Customize Crumble Topping: Experiment with adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra crunch and nutty depth.
• Check Moisture Level: Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly, preventing burning while ensuring the center remains moist and creamy.
• Make Ahead Masterfully: Prepare the entire casserole the night before for stress-free morning entertaining, enhancing flavor development and saving precious time.

French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy French Toast Casserole brings comfort from the first delightful bite. Layers of cinnamon-kissed bread cubes soaked in rich custard create a perfect weekend breakfast that pulls families together around the table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 loaf sourdough bread (or brioche, challah, or French bread)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar

Flavoring:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 grams) packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (113 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

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Instructions

1. Transform stale bread into delectable cubes, arranging them uniformly across a generously greased rectangular baking vessel.
2. Whisk together a luxurious custard blend of eggs, dairy, vanilla essence, and sweet granules until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Cascade the silky mixture over bread cubes, ensuring complete and even saturation.
4. Seal the dish with plastic wrap and allow ingredients to meld and absorb flavors in the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours or preferably overnight.
5. Craft a decadent crumble topping by combining flour, aromatic brown sugar, warming cinnamon, and a hint of salt.
6. Incorporate cold butter into the dry ingredients, using fingertips or a pastry cutter to create a textured, coarse mixture.
7. Transfer the crumbly topping into a sealed container and refrigerate alongside the bread base.
8. When preparation time arrives, preheat the oven to a moderate 350°F, creating an ideal baking environment.
9. Remove the casserole from refrigeration and generously distribute the prepared crumble across the saturated bread surface.
10. Bake uncovered, allowing the casserole to transform into a golden, puffy masterpiece, typically requiring 45-60 minutes depending on desired texture.
11. Let the casserole rest briefly after baking to set and enhance flavor integration before serving.

Notes

• Overnight Soak Enhances Flavor: Let the bread cubes absorb the creamy egg mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight to develop rich, deep flavors and create a custardy texture.
• Prepare Ahead for Stress-Free Mornings: Assemble the casserole the night before, allowing you to simply pop it in the oven for a delicious breakfast with minimal morning effort.
• Customize Your Topping Crumble: Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon to create a crunchy, sweet streusel that adds delightful texture and warmth to the dish.
• Baking Time Impacts Texture: Adjust baking time between 45-60 minutes depending on your preference for a softer or more set casserole.
• Versatile Serving Options: Serve warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent breakfast or brunch centerpiece.
• Storage and Reheating Tip: Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven to maintain the casserole’s crispy top and creamy interior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg