Description
This Best Overnight French Toast Casserole is a delightful and easy-to-make breakfast dish perfect for feeding a crowd. Cubed day-old French bread is soaked overnight in a rich custard made of eggs, milk, cream, and warm spices, then topped with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon mixture and baked to golden perfection. Serve it with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries for a comforting and impressive morning treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread (approx. 12 cups cubed, day-old preferred)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
Topping
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cut and Place Bread: Cube the French bread into approximately 1-inch pieces and spread them evenly in the prepared dish to create the casserole base.
- Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, salt, and optional nutmeg until fully combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently with a spatula or your hands to ensure all the bread soaks up the liquid.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld and bread to absorb the custard.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and combined.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get ready for baking.
- Add Topping and Nuts: Remove the casserole from the fridge, drizzle the prepared brown sugar cinnamon topping evenly over the soaked bread, and sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts if using.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center is fully set.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the baked casserole rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven to make slicing easier and retain moisture.
- Serve: Cut into portions and serve warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries as desired for a delicious breakfast or brunch treat.
Notes
- Day-old French bread works best as it soaks up the custard without becoming too mushy.
- For richer flavor, use full-fat milk and cream as indicated; you can adjust milk for a lighter version.
- Nutmeg is optional but adds a lovely warm spice that complements cinnamon.
- You can add chopped nuts or omit depending on preference or allergies.
- This casserole can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning for convenience.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
