Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe
Our French Toast Casserole is a classic breakfast dish that is as delicious as it is easy to make. With the perfect combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, this recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds. The best part? You can prepare it the night before and simply pop it in the oven in the morning. With whole slices of bread and just 10 minutes of prep time, this foolproof recipe is a breeze.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of stale sourdough bread, sliced
- 8 eggs
- ½ cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg (grated or ground)
- 1½ cups of whole milk
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
Topping
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg (or grated)
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup of packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup of cold butter, cut into pieces
- Pinch of salt
Directions
- Generously butter the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 baking dish. Set it aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, milk, and heavy cream until well combined.
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture and place it in the prepared baking dish, overlapping each slice. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the top of the bread slices. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight.
- In a small bowl, mix all of the ingredients for the topping, except for the butter. Once combined, cut the cold butter pieces into the nut mixture until it resembles small pebbles. Cover and reserve the topping to be added just before the French toast is baked.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C.
- After the French toast is done soaking, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and sprinkle the nut mixture evenly over the top of the bread slices. For a texture that’s more like bread pudding, bake for 45 minutes. For a firmer, less custardy texture that’s more like baked French toast, bake for 1 hour.
- Serve topped with maple syrup and fresh fruit.
Notes
- Cut directly down into the French toast bake, like you would slice a coffee cake, rather than serving individual pieces. That way, everyone gets an even piece of moist French toast and topping.
- It’s better to work with stale or dry bread.
Nutrition
Recipe Video
Can You Freeze French Toast Casserole?
Yes, you can! I recommend storing the casserole in a freezer bag and trying to remove as much air as possible before sealing. You may even want to wrap it in plastic wrap for added protection against air. According to FoodSafety.org, casseroles with eggs can last for 2-3 months in the freezer.
How Long Does it Last in the Fridge?
After baking, your casserole will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. It’s best to store it in an airtight container, but you can also cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap.
Can You Make it Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! I love making this casserole the night before and baking it in the morning. I store it overnight in the refrigerator, tightly covered with plastic wrap. French Toast Casserole is a perfect breakfast dish for holidays or when you have family and friends visiting. You can make it ahead of time and have it ready to go in the oven in the morning. Your kitchen will be filled with the warm aroma of brown sugar and cinnamon.
If you enjoy easy breakfast casseroles, you might also like Baked Oatmeal.
