Breakfast Deserts

Overnight French Toast Casserole

Name: Overnight French Toast Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 8 large eggs; 2 cups whole milk; ½ cup heavy cream; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp nutmeg; Pinch of salt; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed; Maple syrup; Powdered sugar; Fresh berries; Whipped cream

September 2, 2025

Servings: 10 Total Time: 1 hr Difficulty: Beginner

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Introduction

Overnight French Toast Casserole is a make-ahead breakfast classic that’s as comforting as it is convenient. Instead of dipping and frying individual slices of bread, this recipe layers chunks of bread in a casserole dish and soaks them in a rich custard overnight. By morning, all you need to do is pop it into the oven, and you’ll have a warm, golden, and delicious breakfast ready to serve.

This dish is perfect for holidays, weekend brunches, or whenever you want to impress guests without spending all morning in the kitchen.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this Overnight French Toast Casserole because it takes all the cozy, comforting flavors of classic French toast and turns them into a make-ahead, stress-free dish. Instead of standing at the stove flipping slices one by one, everything is baked together in one pan, which means less work and more time to enjoy with family and friends.

The overnight soak is what makes it extra special—the bread has hours to absorb the creamy custard, so every bite comes out soft and custardy inside, while the top bakes up golden and slightly crisp. It’s like a warm bread pudding meets French toast, and it’s just heavenly with a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Overnight French Toast Casserole is a must-try dish because it’s the perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and comfort. Unlike traditional French toast, this version is prepared the night before, so all you need to do in the morning is pop it in the oven—making it a lifesaver for busy mornings, holiday breakfasts, or brunch gatherings.

The slow overnight soak allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, creating a rich, custardy inside with a slightly crisp golden top. It’s indulgent yet easy, elegant enough for guests but simple enough for a cozy family breakfast.

Preparation and Cooking Time

Preparation Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight chilling)
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: About 9 hours (with overnight rest)
Servings: 8–10
Calories: ~350 calories per serving (without toppings)

Cuisine and Course

Cuisine: French-American
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, or Dessert

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

1 loaf (14–16 oz) day-old brioche, challah, or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer custard)
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
Pinch of salt

For the Topping (before baking):

½ cup brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

For Serving (optional):

Maple syrup
Powdered sugar
Fresh berries
Whipped cream

Simple Cooking Directions

Cube bread and place in a greased baking dish.
Mix eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over bread.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, add crumb topping.
Bake until golden brown and set.
Serve warm with toppings.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Prepare the Bread Base:
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly in the dish.
Make the Custard:
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
Soak the Bread:
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Press lightly so the bread absorbs the liquid.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate overnight (at least 6–8 hours).
Prepare the Topping:
- In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Bake the Casserole:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the soaked bread.
- Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until golden brown and center is set.
Serve:
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with powdered sugar, syrup, or berries.

How to Serve

Serve warm straight from the baking dish.
Drizzle with maple syrup, dust with powdered sugar, and top with fresh fruit.
Pair with bacon, sausage, or scrambled eggs for a complete brunch spread.

Additional Recipe Tips

Use day-old bread—it absorbs custard better without becoming mushy.
For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
To avoid soggy casserole, don’t add too much liquid. Bread should be moist but not swimming in custard.
For a lighter version, use 2% milk instead of heavy cream.

Variations

Berry French Toast Casserole: Add blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries between bread layers.
Apple Cinnamon Version: Add diced apples and extra cinnamon for a fall twist.
Chocolate Lovers: Sprinkle chocolate chips throughout the bread before baking.
Savory French Toast Casserole: Skip the sugar and vanilla, add cheese, herbs, and bacon or sausage.

Freezing and Storage

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm individual servings in the microwave or cover the dish with foil and reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 15–20 minutes.
Freezing (Before Baking): Assemble casserole (without topping), cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge, add topping, then bake.
Freezing (After Baking): Cool completely, cut into portions, wrap, and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in oven or toaster oven.

Special Equipment Needed

9×13-inch baking dish
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Plastic wrap or foil
Pastry cutter or fork (for crumb topping)

Conclusion

Overnight French Toast Casserole is the ultimate stress-free brunch recipe—rich, custardy, and full of flavor with minimal morning effort. It’s versatile, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for holidays or special weekends when you want to serve something memorable without spending hours in the kitchen. With its golden topping, fluffy center, and endless topping possibilities, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

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