French Toast Casserole

The BEST easy breakfast or brunch recipe, simple enough for a weekday breakfast and perfectly decadent for a holiday brunch, this French Toast Casserole recipe is ready in one hour! Or make it the night before for a fuss-free morning!

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American, breakfast, Brunch, Christmas, Holiday, North American, Thanksgiving

Keyword french toast casserole, overnight french toast casserole

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Calories 835kcal

Author Chrissie

Equipment

Ingredients

12 cups day-old bread cubes we suggest using french bread or sourdough bread
8 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream for a lighter option, use half and half
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar

For the cinnamon sugar topping:

3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To prepare the casserole:

Cut the bread into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Be sure to use day-old bread that's on the dry side for this recipe.
Add the bread to a large greased rectangular baking dish.
In a large liquid measuring cup or a mixing bowl, whisk together the 8 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup granulated sugar until well combined.
Pour the egg mixture over the bread in the pan and toss well until all the bread is moistened by the egg mixture.

If baking immediately:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix together the 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon for the topping and sprinkle it over the top of the casserole. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes covered with the foil. After 25 minutes of baking, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
Serve immediately with fresh fruit and a dusting of powdered sugar.

For the overnight method:

If using the overnight method, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for up to 18 hours.
When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap.
Mix together the 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon for the topping and sprinkle it over the top of the casserole. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil.
Place the cold pan in a cold oven and set the oven to preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the oven has reached temperature, set the timer for 25 minutes.
Bake for 25 minutes and then remove the aluminum foil. Bake for an additional 20 minutes.
Serve immediately with fresh fruit and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Video

Notes

Storage Instructions

Store any leftovers in the fridge, covered or in an airtight container.

Reheating Instructions

Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave in a microwave safe dish or container or in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit just until warmed through.

Nutrition