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Baked French Toast Casserole

Baked French Toast Casserole

This Baked French Toast Casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast for holidays, brunches, or cozy weekend mornings. Cubes of soft bread soak up a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard overnight, then bake into a golden, fluffy casserole with a buttery brown sugar topping. It’s easy, comforting, and tastes like a cross between classic French toast and bread pudding.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes (plus chilling time, if making ahead)
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

1 loaf French bread (about 14-16 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes

8 large eggs

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

For the Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Optional for Serving:

Maple syrup

Powdered sugar

Fresh berries

Chopped pecans or walnuts

Whipped cream

Instructions

Prepare the Bread

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the cubed French bread evenly into the dish.

Make the Custard

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

Assemble

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing the bread down gently so it absorbs the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.

Make the Streusel

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge while the oven heats. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the casserole.

Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown. For a softer casserole, bake closer to 45 minutes. For a firmer texture, bake closer to 50 minutes.

Serve

Let cool for about 5–10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup if desired.

Notes

Cooking Tips

  • Use day-old bread: Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard better and prevents sogginess.
  • Don’t skip chilling: Resting time helps the casserole bake evenly and develop a richer texture.
  • Cover loosely if browning too fast: If the top gets too dark before the center is done, tent with foil.
  • Let it rest before slicing: This helps it firm up and makes serving easier.
  • Add texture: A handful of chopped pecans or walnuts in the topping adds crunch.
  • For extra richness: Use brioche or challah instead of French bread.
  • Make it sweeter: Add a drizzle of cream cheese glaze after baking for a bakery-style finish.

Variations

1. Berry French Toast Casserole

Add 1–1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries between the bread layers.

2. Cream Cheese Stuffed

Dot small cubes of cream cheese throughout the casserole before chilling for a cheesecake-like twist.

3. Apple Cinnamon

Mix in 1–2 cups sautéed cinnamon apples for a cozy fall version.

4. Pecan Praline

Add chopped pecans to the topping and drizzle with maple syrup after baking.

5. Banana Foster Style

Layer in sliced bananas and finish with caramel sauce for a decadent brunch option.

6. Pumpkin Spice

Replace 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 cup pumpkin purée and add pumpkin pie spice.

7. Chocolate Chip

Sprinkle mini chocolate chips between the bread cubes for a kid-friendly version.

8. Croissant French Toast Bake

Swap the French bread for torn croissants for an extra buttery casserole.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 21g
  • Sodium: 330mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 43g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 11g
  • Cholesterol: 180mg

Find it online: https://greatfoodrecipe.com/baked-french-toast-casserole/

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