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Imagine waking up to the smell of sweet cinnamon and warm bread baking in the oven – sounds like a dream, right? Overnight French Toast Casserole makes this a snap!

close up overnight french toast casserole on a tan plate

Today, I’ve got a super special recipe to share with you. It’s all about making mornings brighter and tastier with a delicious Overnight French Toast Casserole.

I’m going to walk you through this, step by step. Don’t worry, it’s really simple!

We have a family Christmas brunch every year, and this is the dish I always bring along. Not only is it absolutely delicious, but it’s also really easy to throw it together. But, it is also perfect any time of the year.

I love the combination of bread, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add the custard on top, and you’ve got something that’s truly tasty.

Then you let it all sit and combine overnight in the fridge! There isn’t a better way to pack in flavor.

This is one breakfast dish that’s perfect for a lazy weekend morning or a special occasion like Christmas morning or Easter brunch.

Overnight French Toast Casserole is an absolute gem, and I’m going to show you my favorite way to make it. Let’s jump in!

Some of our other favorite breakfast recipes we have on our site include: Christmas Breakfast Casserole (Overnight Recipe), Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake, and Easy Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.

slice of overnight french toast casserole on a tan plate

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Super Easy to Prepare: Just mix, soak overnight, and bake in the morning. It’s that simple!
Perfect for Busy Mornings: Prepare it the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning.
Deliciously Sweet and Custardy: The combination of eggs, milk, and cinnamon makes for a mouth-watering custard.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

French bread
Eggs
Whole milk
Heavy cream
Granulated sugar
Light brown sugar
Vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon
Salt
Unsalted butter
Powdered sugar, to serve
Maple syrup, to serve

ingredients needed to make overnight french toast casserole

HOW TO MAKE OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE:

Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Place the cubed bread into the baking dish, set aside.
Place the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk together well until combined. Some of the cinnamon may float on top, that’s okay.
Pour the custard over the bread cubes. Take a large spoon and press the bread into the custard so it starts to soak it up. Cover the dish and place it in the fridge to soak for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a small bowl whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle this all over the top of the casserole.
Cover with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let cool for 15 minutes, slice and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup, or your favorite toppings.

maple syrup being poured over a slice of overnight french toast casserole

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

WHAT KIND OF BREAD IS BEST TO USE?

For the best Overnight French Toast Casserole, you’ll want to choose a type of bread that’s sturdy enough to soak up the egg custard without falling apart.

Crusty French bread is an excellent choice, thanks to its firm texture.

Other great options include challah bread, which adds a lovely richness, or brioche bread for a buttery flavor.

Even cinnamon raisin bread can be used for an added sweet and spiced twist.

If you prefer something more traditional, day-old bread or sandwich bread can also work well. The key is to use bread that’s a bit dry, as it absorbs the egg mixture better, turning your casserole into a delicious breakfast bake.

CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD?

Yes, this casserole is a fantastic make-ahead dish! It’s one of those perfect breakfast recipes for when you have a busy morning or a special occasion like Christmas brunch.

Simply prepare the casserole the night before, following the easy french toast casserole recipe steps.

Once you have your bread soaked in the egg custard mixture, cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.

This allows the bread to fully absorb the flavors, resulting in the best french toast casserole.

The next morning, all you need to do is bake it for about 40-50 minutes.

It’s a simple, stress-free way to serve a delicious and huge hit for breakfast or brunch.

a slice of overnight french toast casserole on a tan plate with maple syrup

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WHAT TO ADD ON TOP?

When it comes to topping your casserole, the possibilities are endless, and it’s definitely the best part of making this dish.

For a classic touch, sprinkle some white sugar or a dash of cinnamon streusel on top before baking for a crispy finish.

After baking, you can get creative with toppings like fresh berries or a drizzle of pure maple syrup for a traditional French toast flavor. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream adds a lovely sweetness.

For those who love extra texture, adding a separate bowl of nuts or granola on the side is a great option.

Each individual serving can be customized to everyone’s liking, making it a huge hit with both kids and adults.

Remember, these simple steps can elevate your casserole, making it the highlight of your breakfast or brunch table.

ANY ADDITIONS?

I’ve always got you covered! Here are some other great options.

Sliced bananas
Blueberries or strawberries
Chocolate chips
Caramel sauce
Nuts like pecans or walnuts
Cream cheese chunks
Raisins or dried cranberries
Sprinkle of nutmeg
Sprinkles for a fun twist

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Yeppers! I’ve got a quick list of ideas here.

Almond milk or soy milk instead of whole milk
Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free version
Swap brown sugar with coconut sugar
Dairy-free butter to make it vegan
Honey instead of maple syrup

overhead image of slices of overnight french toast casserole

HOW TO STORE:

Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:

Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes for even soaking.
Make sure to push the bread down into the egg mixture so every piece is soaked.
For a crispy top, sprinkle a little granulated sugar or coarse on top before baking.
Let the casserole sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Bake until golden brown for that perfect crunch.
Serve with a cup of coffee or orange juice for a complete breakfast experience.

a slice of overnight french toast casserole with a bite taken out

Overnight French Toast Casserole is a fantastic recipe that brings joy and deliciousness to your breakfast table. It’s an easy recipe that turns simple ingredients into a delightful meal.

Whether you’re a morning person or not, this casserole is sure to start your day on a high note.

So, give this recipe a try, and let’s make breakfast time a little more special. Happy cooking, and enjoy your scrumptious French toast casserole!

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If you’ve tried this OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!

Best Classic Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe