Description
This Overnight French Toast Casserole is a delicious and comforting make-ahead breakfast perfect for busy mornings or brunch gatherings. Cubed French bread is soaked overnight in a rich custard of eggs, milk, cream, and warm spices, then topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble and baked until golden and set. Serve with maple syrup or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread (about 14–16 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Prepare Bread and Custard: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and place the cubed French bread evenly in the dish. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to ensure all the bread absorbs the liquid. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak thoroughly.
- Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the cold unsalted butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Cover and refrigerate the topping until ready to use.
- Preheat Oven and Assemble: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole and evenly sprinkle the prepared topping over the soaked bread mixture.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake the casserole for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the custard is fully set in the center. The edges should be bubbly and the topping crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the custard to firm up slightly for clean slices. Serve warm with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar, and optional fresh berries or nuts.
Notes
- You can substitute challah or brioche bread for a richer, more tender texture.
- Add fresh berries or chopped nuts before baking to enhance flavor and texture.
- Serve with maple syrup, fruit preserves, or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness.
- Prepare the casserole the night before to save time on busy mornings.
- Use cold butter for the topping to ensure a crumbly, crisp texture when baked.
