French Toast Casserole
French toast casserole is easy to make ahead of time with leftover french bread. This recipe is a family favorite!
Casseroles are one of the best family meals and they are so simple to make! This french toast casserole falls right in line with easy breakfast meals. You can make it the night before and serve it up fresh and warm in the morning. The scents of brown sugar and cinnamon will fill your kitchen!
Why you should try this recipe: It’s the perfect use for day old bread. The dish is best when made the day before, which makes for easy meal prep. The ingredients are simple, flavorful and easy to find!
How to make french toast casserole
- Grease a casserole dish and add the cubed French bread.
- In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and vanilla. Pour over the bread cubes. Sprinkle cinnamon over the top.
- Cover the casserole and refrigerate it overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove casserole from the refrigerator, uncover it and sprinkle remaining brown sugar over the top.
- Bake the casserole for 45 to 60 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with syrup and berries.
Helpful tips
Make sure the bread is a day old, dry and crusty. It helps to cut the bread into cubes and let them sit uncovered on a baking sheet for a few hours to dry out. When the bread is dry, it will soak up the liquid ingredients and make for a tender, flavorful casserole.
Use the full 8 hours or ideally overnight to let the casserole soak. The longer it sits, the more flavorful the casserole will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
French bread is my favorite as it has a nice crust, but sourdough, brioche or Italian bread may be used instead.
Yes, it helps to bake the casserole in an aluminum dish for easy freezing. After the casserole is baked, allow it to cool completely. Wrap the entire dish in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. To defrost, bake uncovered at 350 F for 30 minutes.
Yes, gluten-free bread may be used in this recipe. You can also use dairy-free milk and heavy cream.
Either there wasn’t enough bread to soak up all the liquid or the casserole wasn’t baked long enough. Thick, dry bakery bread is best for this recipe.
More breakfast recipes
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! Buttermilk waffles are a must-try. They are so fluffy and have a crisp exterior. Another popular breakfast recipe is for sour cream coffee cake, which is full of cinnamon flavor. If you prefer a savory breakfast, then try this super easy sausage breakfast casserole.
If you’re looking for an easy make ahead breakfast that the whole family will love, this french toast casserole is your answer. It’s a good use for leftover bread and easy to make the night before. Try it for your next family vacation or Christmas morning!
Leave a review if you tried this recipe and remember to tag @ifyougiveablondeakitchen on social media!
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (12 ounces) day-old crusty French bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, divided
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Spray a 3-quart baking dish with non-stick spray (or grease with butter).
- Cut the bread into cubes and evenly distribute them in the pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, ½ cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, then sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over the top.
- Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours, or overnight if possible (for best flavor).
- When ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of the casserole. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until golden brown and baked through. Serve with syrup and fresh fruit, if desired.
