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French Toast Casserole

French Toast Casserole

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

French Toast Casserole is a warm, comforting breakfast dish perfect for weekends, holidays, or feeding a crowd. It combines the rich, custardy goodness of classic French toast with the ease of a baked casserole. With a golden top and soft, cinnamon-scented interior, this dish is both indulgent and simple to make ahead.

ingredients

French Toast Casserole this Recipe

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

bread (preferably day-old or slightly stale)
eggs
milk
heavy cream
granulated sugar
brown sugar
vanilla extract
ground cinnamon
salt
unsalted butter
optional toppings: powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh fruit, chopped nuts

directions

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the dish.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, pressing down slightly to help the bread absorb the liquid.

Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Remove the casserole from the fridge, uncover, and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.

Let cool slightly before serving.

Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup, if desired.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 8-10 servings.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours to overnight
Baking time: 45-55 minutes
Total time: about 3 hours (or overnight + bake time)

Variations

Use brioche, challah, or cinnamon swirl bread for added flavor.

Add raisins, chopped apples, or blueberries to the bread mixture before baking.

Top with a pecan streusel before baking for a crunchy topping.

Mix in a splash of orange zest or almond extract for a flavor twist.

storage/reheating

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until heated through.
Casserole can also be frozen (without toppings) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

French Toast Casserole

FAQs

Can I make French Toast Casserole ahead of time?
Yes, assembling it the night before makes for an easy morning bake.

What’s the best bread to use?
Day-old brioche, challah, or French bread work best because they soak up the custard without getting mushy.

Can I use non-dairy milk?
Yes, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk can be substituted.

Do I have to chill it overnight?
While not required, chilling allows the flavors to meld and the bread to fully absorb the custard.

Can I halve the recipe?
Yes, just use a smaller baking dish and reduce baking time slightly.

Can I make it sweeter?
Add more brown sugar or top with a glaze after baking for extra sweetness.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?
You can use all milk or substitute with half-and-half for a lighter texture.

Conclusion

French Toast Casserole is a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead breakfast that delivers all the flavor of traditional French toast with minimal morning effort. Whether for a brunch party or a cozy family breakfast, it’s an easy dish that guarantees warm smiles and empty plates.

Print
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French Toast Casserole

French Toast Casserole

  • Author: simplemealsbykim
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This French Toast Casserole is a delicious and comforting breakfast dish made with cubed bread soaked in a sweet egg mixture, baked to perfection with a cinnamon-sugar topping.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (for topping)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and place the cubed French bread evenly in the dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press down the bread to help soak the mixture.
  4. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight, or at least 6 hours.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, mix melted butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon to form a crumb topping.
  6. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread mixture.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
  8. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with syrup if desired.

Notes

  • Use day-old bread for best texture.
  • Can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning.
  • Add chopped nuts or fruit for variety.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for up to 3 days.