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Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.3 from 10 reviews

This Overnight French Toast Casserole is a delightful make-ahead breakfast classic featuring custardy bread cubes soaked overnight and topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel. Perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunches, it combines rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla with a golden baked finish that can be customized with syrup, berries, or whipped cream.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound loaf of brioche, challah, french bread, or white bread
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Topping

  • 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
  • 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Dish and Bread: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly. Cut the bread into 1 inch chunks and place them evenly in the prepared pan, ensuring a single layer for optimal soaking.
  2. Make the Custard and Soak Bread: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently toss to coat all pieces and ensure even soaking. Spread the soaked bread into an even layer in the pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the custard to fully infuse the bread.
  3. Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the cold butter pieces. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the sugar mixture until it becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs. Cover and refrigerate this topping until ready to use the next morning.
  4. Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and uncover it. Sprinkle the prepared crumbly topping evenly over the soaked bread. Place in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is fully set in the center (no longer jiggly).
  5. Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for at least 10 minutes after baking to set properly and make serving easier. Serve warm topped with your choice of homemade syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, or any of your favorite breakfast toppings.

Notes

  • Using day-old or slightly stale bread helps the bread absorb the custard better without becoming overly soggy.
  • You can prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance by soaking the bread overnight and baking the next morning.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream and milk with almond or oat milk and use a plant-based butter for the topping.
  • If you prefer a crunchier top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  • Feel free to add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the topping for texture and flavor variation.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/overnight-french-toast-casserole-recipe/