Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
If you’ve ever wished for a breakfast that feels like a warm hug and is effortless to make ahead, Overnight French Toast Casserole is exactly what your mornings need. Imagine golden cubes of bread soaked overnight in a rich, cinnamon-vanilla custard, then baked until puffy and crowned with a buttery streusel topping. Every bite offers creamy insides and crisp, sweet tops, making this dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for brunch, holidays, or anytime you want to create a memorable morning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dish keeps it classic but spectacular: simple ingredients that each play an important part. From the sturdy French bread to the double-sugar blend and aromatic spices, every item makes a difference in taste, texture, or visual appeal.
- French bread: The foundation for that uniquely chewy yet fluffy base—stale or day-old works best for soaking up every bit of custard.
- Eggs: Act as the rich binder, ensuring your casserole slices up perfectly every time.
- Whole milk: Adds needed moisture and creaminess to the custard for a decadent finish.
- Heavy cream: Brings extra luxury and a luscious mouthfeel to every bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard for classic French toast flavor.
- Brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness with its caramelly notes, both in the base and topping.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth that perfumes the entire casserole.
- Ground cinnamon: The cozy spice that ties everything together and makes the casserole smell heavenly.
- Nutmeg: Just a hint lifts the custard with a subtle, special warmth.
- Salt: Balances the sugars and intensifies the other flavors so nothing falls flat.
- All-purpose flour (for topping): Combines with butter to make that irresistible, crumbly crumble topping.
- Cold unsalted butter (for topping): Creates the crunchy, golden streusel finish that everyone loves.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole
Step 1: Cube and Arrange the Bread
Take your loaf of French bread and cut it into hearty 1-inch cubes. Spread them evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure there’s enough room for the custard to nestle in and around the bread. This step sets the stage for those perfect pockets of creamy and crisp in your Overnight French Toast Casserole.
Step 2: Whip Up the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, both sugars, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You want that cinnamon and nutmeg fully dispersed so every bite sings with flavor. This luscious custard is what transforms plain bread into brunch magic.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Pour the custard evenly over all the bread cubes, making sure every piece gets a generous soak. Gently press the cubes down with the back of a spoon or your hands so they all absorb some of the liquid. Cover the dish tightly and pop it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the most custardy, infused result.
Step 4: Prepare the Streusel Topping
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine until you have coarse crumbs. Cover and refrigerate overnight if you’d like to make your morning even easier—the topping stays perfectly crumbly and cold.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Ready for the big finish? Preheat your oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over your chilled casserole, ensuring even coverage for a golden, crackly crust. Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until the center is set and the top is beautifully browned. Let it cool for a few minutes before digging in—it’s worth the wait.
How to Serve Overnight French Toast Casserole
Garnishes
Let your creativity fly with toppings! A light dusting of powdered sugar makes for a beautiful snow-like finish, while a drizzle of pure maple syrup seeps into every nook. Pile on fresh berries for color and brightness; they cut through the richness and add a summer morning vibe any time of year.
Side Dishes
Pair your Overnight French Toast Casserole with crispy bacon, maple sausage links, or a refreshing fruit salad. Greek yogurt or whipped cream on the side is also a hit for extra creaminess, making the meal both filling and festive enough for any occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to go beyond the classic bake-and-slice, try serving the casserole in individual ramekins for a personal touch or layering it in jars for a portable brunch. For a fun family gathering, offer a topping bar with syrups, nuts, whipped cream, and sliced bananas—watch everyone light up as they design their own perfect plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your Overnight French Toast Casserole tightly with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days, holding onto its flavor and texture for easy weekday breakfasts.
Freezing
This casserole is a freezer’s best friend! Wrap the completely cooled casserole well in plastic wrap and then foil, or store slices in freezer bags. For the best results, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating so the texture stays deliciously intact.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, reheat slices in the oven at 325°F for about 15 minutes, or until hot throughout. You can also use the microwave for single servings, but a quick trip in the oven will help revive the irresistible crispness of the topping.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Breakfast
Absolutely! Brioche or challah are wonderful swaps if you want an extra-rich base. Just be sure to use thick, sturdy bread that can soak up the custard without falling apart.
Do I have to chill the casserole overnight?
Chilling overnight is ideal since it allows the bread to absorb all the custard, but if you’re in a rush, a minimum of 6 hours still yields delicious results—just know the longer soak brings more luxurious texture.
Can I prepare the topping further in advance?
Yes! The streusel topping can be mixed up to two days ahead. Keep it tightly covered and chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to sprinkle it over the casserole before baking.
How do I make this recipe dairy-free?
Swap out the whole milk and cream for your favorite non-dairy alternatives like almond, coconut, or oat milk. Use plant-based butter in the topping and check that your bread is dairy-free, too.
What if my casserole seems soggy in the center?
If the center isn’t quite set after baking, just pop the dish back in the oven for 5–10 minutes. The top can be loosely tented with foil if it’s browning too quickly, helping everything bake up perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know exactly how to whip up a truly memorable Overnight French Toast Casserole, don’t hesitate to give it a try for your next brunch, holiday, or lazy weekend morning. It’s easy, foolproof, and packed with love in every forkful—happy baking, and enjoy every bite!
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Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a delightful breakfast treat with this Overnight French Toast Casserole. This make-ahead dish is perfect for a stress-free morning meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- 1 loaf French bread (about 14–16 oz, cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
Instructions
- Prepare the French Toast: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the bread cubes evenly in the pan.
- Make the Topping: Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Store in the fridge.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle topping over the casserole and bake for 45–55 minutes until set.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, spices, and salt until well combined. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries.
- Can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
