Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole
In short: Cubes of brioche soaked overnight in a cinnamon custard, topped with pecan streusel and baked until golden. Assemble it the night before. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 550 kcal
This is the dish for Christmas morning and any other day when you want to sit down with guests instead of standing at the stove. Cubes of day-old bread soak overnight in a spiced vanilla custard, then bake under a crunchy pecan and brown sugar topping. The center turns soft and custardy like bread pudding, while the edges and the top turn crisp and golden. Everything is assembled the night before.
Instructions
- Butter a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in it in an even layer.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, the 75 g (1/3 cup) brown sugar from the casserole list, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until smooth. Pour evenly over the bread.
- Press the bread down with a spatula so every cube is moistened. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
- For the topping, rub the flour, the 50 g (1/4 cup) brown sugar, cinnamon and cold butter together with your fingertips until crumbly. Stir in the pecans, cover and refrigerate.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Let the dish stand on the counter for 30 minutes while the oven heats.
- Scatter the topping over the bread. Bake, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes, until puffed, golden and a knife in the center comes out clean.
- Rest for 10 minutes, then serve warm with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Tips
- Day-old or lightly toasted bread works best. If your loaf is fresh, dry the cubes in a 150°C (300°F) oven for 10 minutes first, or they will collapse into mush.
- For a fruit version, toss 200 g (1 1/2 cups) blueberries or diced apple with the bread before pouring over the custard.
Questions and answers
Can I assemble French toast casserole the night before?
That is the idea. Assemble it, cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours, and add the topping just before baking so it stays crisp.
How do I know when French toast casserole is done?
The top should be golden and puffed, and a knife in the center should come out clean with no raw egg. An instant-read thermometer in the middle reads 71°C (160°F).
Can I freeze baked French toast casserole?
Yes. Bake it, cool it completely, cut it into portions and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 160°C (325°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, covered with foil.
How long does it take to make Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole?
About 550 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 53 g of carbohydrates and 32 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 550 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 26 g |
| Sodium | 460 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
