There are mornings when you want something warm, sweet, and comforting without standing at the stove flipping slices of bread. That is exactly where this French Toast Casserole recipe shines. It bakes up soft in the center, lightly crisp on top, and fills the kitchen with that cozy vanilla and cinnamon scent we all love.
This is one of those breakfasts I come back to again and again. I have made it for holidays, slow weekends, and busy mornings when I want everything ready before coffee is poured. This French Toast Casserole recipe is easy, make-ahead friendly, and always disappears fast. Ready to bake something cozy? Let's get started.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Soft, custardy center with a sweet crumb topping
- Easy overnight breakfast that saves time in the morning
- Family-friendly and perfect for holidays or brunch
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Flexible with sweet or savory variations
Ingredients
For the French Toast
- 1 (24-ounce) loaf sourdough bread, cubed
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
For the Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
I usually reach for sourdough because it holds up beautifully overnight and gives a gentle tang. Brioche, challah, or French bread also work well if that is what you have on hand.
Whole milk gives a richer result, but 2 percent milk works fine. The heavy cream adds that soft, bakery-style texture, so I recommend keeping it if you can.
If you want to lower the sweetness slightly, you can reduce the sugar by a few tablespoons without affecting the texture.
Instructions
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and scatter them evenly in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. It may look full, but the bread settles as it absorbs the custard.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar until smooth. The mixture should look pale and slightly frothy.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread. Press gently with a spatula so every piece gets coated. This step makes all the difference.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This rest time gives you that soft, creamy center.
- To make the topping, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. The texture should look like coarse sand with a few buttery chunks.
- Transfer the topping to a resealable bag and refrigerate overnight as well.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and uncover it.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the bread. Try to cover every corner for that golden finish.
- Bake uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on how soft you like the center. I usually pull it at about 50 minutes for a tender middle and crisp top.
Pro Tips for Success
- Slightly stale bread works best and soaks up more custard.
- Press the bread down gently before chilling so nothing stays dry.
- For extra crisp topping, scatter the crumbs evenly rather than in piles.
- If the top browns too fast, loosely cover with foil for the last few minutes.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or cover the dish with foil and reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through.
Make Ahead and Freezing
This casserole is perfect for planning ahead. You can prepare it through the topping step and freeze it unbaked. Store the topping separately and add it after thawing.
It can also be frozen after baking. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips and Variations
- Add sliced apples or blueberries for a fruity version
- Sprinkle chopped pecans into the topping for crunch
- Turn it savory with sausage, bacon, or ham and cheese
- Add orange zest for a fresh citrus note
- Serve with maple syrup or powdered sugar
FAQs
Yes. Chill for at least 4 hours. Overnight gives the best texture, but it still works with less time.
The egg custard, milk, and cream soak deeply into the bread, creating that tender center.
Yes, as long as it is sturdy enough to hold the custard.
📖 Recipe
French Toast Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This French Toast Casserole is soft, sweet, and baked to perfection. It is an easy overnight breakfast everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 (24-ounce) loaf sourdough bread (or brioche, challah or French bread)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
- Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and scatter evenly in a greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, mix eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar together, then pour evenly over bread.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- To make the topping, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut butter into this mixture until crumbly. Place the topping in a small resealable plastic bag and refrigerate overnight as well.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Unwrap the baking dish and sprinkle the topping evenly over the bread.
- Bake, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes, depending on how soft you like it.
Notes
Make ahead of time. This bake can be prepared through step 4 and frozen; store the topping separately and add it once the bake is thawed. It can also be frozen after baking. Wrap the dish with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you are ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Remove all the wrapping and bake at 350°F. If it had been prebaked, bake for 20 minutes; if not, bake according to the recipe directions above.
Variations:
- For a more savory casserole, add ham and cheese, chorizo, green chilies, sausage, or crumbled bacon.
- For a sweet casserole, add thinly sliced apple, orange zest, sliced apricots, sliced pineapple, blueberries, or chopped pecans.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 564
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 599mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 218mg
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this warm with maple syrup and fresh fruit. It pairs beautifully with crispy bacon or a simple egg dish. This is also a wonderful addition to holiday brunch tables when you want something comforting and familiar.
Nutrition and Notes
- Servings: 8
- Skill level: easy
- Calories per serving: approximately 564
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients used.
I have made this French Toast Casserole recipe many times, adjusting bake times and toppings until it felt just right. Every version disappears quickly, which always feels like the best kind of feedback.
Reader Reviews or Testimonials
"This was the star of our holiday breakfast. Everyone asked for the recipe and went back for seconds."
Related Recipes
If you love cozy breakfasts, you may also like my Croissant French Toast Bake or my Crockpot Egg Breakfast Casserole for another easy morning option.
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