French Toast Casserole

Picture this: golden, custardy bites of soft, pillowy bread with a crispy, caramelized top, all drizzled with maple syrup and melting butter.

That’s French Toast Casserole—your new best friend for lazy weekend breakfasts, holiday brunches, and feeding a hungry crowd without breaking a sweat.

Unlike regular French toast, which requires standing at the stove flipping slice after slice, this baked version lets you do all the prep the night before. Come morning, just pop it in the oven and let the magic happen while you sip coffee and pretend you’re on a cooking show.

It’s perfect for brunch parties, family gatherings, or even meal prepping a sweet breakfast for the week. Whether you’re a cinnamon fanatic, a carb lover, or someone who just doesn’t want to spend an hour flipping bread, this dish is for you!

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A Little History: Where Did French Toast Casserole Come From?

French toast itself has been around forever—like, ancient Roman times forever. People have been soaking stale bread in milk and eggs since the dawn of civilization because, let’s be real, no one likes wasting bread. The French call it pain perdu (literally “lost bread”), because it’s a way to rescue old, forgotten loaves.

But when did it go from stovetop slices to a full-blown casserole? That’s a little less clear. The concept likely evolved from bread puddings, which have been comforting bellies for centuries.

Somewhere along the way, an exhausted home cook (probably with a house full of guests) realized that layering the bread in a dish and baking it was way easier than flipping individual pieces. Thus, French Toast Casserole was born, and brunch has never been the same.

P.S. Check out my classic French Toast Recipe here!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Base:

• 1 loaf of day-old bread (French, brioche, or challah), cubed – The sturdier the bread, the better! Soft, fresh bread will turn into mush.
• 6 large eggs – These give structure and help create that perfect custardy texture.
• 2 cups whole milk – Creamy and rich, but you can swap for half-and-half or a mix of milk and heavy cream.
• ½ cup heavy cream – Adds extra richness for a more indulgent texture.
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar – Sweetens the custard base.
• ¼ cup brown sugar – Adds a slight caramelized depth.
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract – Because nothing smells better than vanilla-infused baked goods.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – A must for that warm, cozy flavor.
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg – Adds just a hint of spice and warmth.
• ¼ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.

For the Topping:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted – Helps create that perfect crispy, golden top.
• ⅓ cup brown sugar – Caramelizes into a crunchy, sweet crust.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon – Because more cinnamon is always a good idea.
• ½ cup chopped pecans (optional) – Adds crunch and a slightly nutty flavor.

Optional Toppings:

• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries
• Whipped cream

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Step-by-Step: How to Make French Toast Casserole

1. Prep Your Bread

Start by cubing your bread into bite-sized pieces. If it’s fresh, let it sit out for a few hours to dry out, or pop it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes. Stale bread soaks up the custard better without turning to mush—kind of like how a sponge works best when it’s slightly damp.

2. Make the Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This is where all the flavor lives, so don’t skimp on the whisking—make sure everything is fully combined and smooth.

3. Combine & Soak

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Add the bread cubes and pour the custard mixture evenly over the top. Use a spatula (or your hands—no judgment) to gently press the bread down, ensuring every piece soaks up that delicious custard.

4. Let It Rest (Overnight or 30 Minutes)

For the absolute best texture, cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight. This gives the bread plenty of time to absorb all the flavors. But if you’re short on time (or impatient, which is fair), let it sit for at least 30 minutes before baking.

5. Make the Topping

Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. If you’re using pecans, toss them in. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole for that crunchy, caramelized finish.

6. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes. If you like a softer, bread-pudding-like texture, take it out at 40 minutes. Want a crispier top? Let it go the full 45. If it starts browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil during the last 10 minutes.

7. Serve & Enjoy!

Let the casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before slicing. Then, top with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, add a dollop of whipped cream.

Pro tip: Leftovers reheat beautifully! Just warm slices in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.

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FAQs & Troubleshooting

1. Can I Make This Dairy-Free?

Absolutely! Swap the milk and heavy cream for almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Use dairy-free butter for the topping.

2. What’s the Best Bread to Use?

Brioche is ultra-rich, challah is slightly sweet and eggy, and French bread is sturdy with a chewy bite. Avoid super soft sandwich bread—it’ll turn into mush.

3. Can I Freeze It?

Yep! Assemble the casserole and freeze it before baking. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

4. My Casserole Turned Out Soggy! What Happened?

This usually happens if the bread is too fresh, or if the casserole wasn’t baked long enough. Make sure your bread is slightly dry and give it enough time in the oven to set.

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French Toast Casserole Recipe

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