French Toast Casserole: A Delicious Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipe

If you are looking for a delicious and easy breakfast or brunch dish, French Toast Casserole is a perfect choice. This classic breakfast dish is a twist on traditional French toast, making it an ideal option for feeding a crowd. With its sweet and savory flavors, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone.

French Toast Casserole is made by soaking bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, and spices, and then baking it in the oven. This dish can be made in advance, making it perfect for busy mornings or entertaining guests. It’s also a great way to use up stale bread, as the bread will soak up the egg mixture and become soft and delicious.

There are many variations of French Toast Casserole, with different toppings and additions to suit your taste. Whether you prefer a classic recipe with cinnamon and sugar or a more decadent version with cream cheese and berries, there is a French Toast Casserole recipe out there for everyone.

Understanding French Toast Casserole

French toast casserole is a popular breakfast casserole that combines all the flavors of traditional French toast in an easy overnight method. This casserole is perfect for busy mornings, holidays, or weekend brunches.

To make the best French toast casserole, you need to start with the right bread. French bread is the best choice because it’s sturdy enough to hold up to the custard mixture, but still soft and fluffy on the inside. You can also use brioche, challah, or any other bread that’s slightly stale.

The custard mixture is what makes French toast casserole so delicious. It’s made with eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. You can also add other flavors like nutmeg, cardamom, or orange zest to give it a unique twist.

Once you’ve prepared the custard mixture, you need to soak the bread in it. You can either cut the bread into cubes and toss them in the custard mixture or layer the bread and custard mixture in a baking dish. Then, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight.

In the morning, all you need to do is preheat your oven, remove the plastic wrap, and bake the casserole for about 45-50 minutes. You can also add toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, or maple syrup to make it even more delicious.

French toast casserole is a versatile breakfast casserole that can be customized to your liking. You can add different toppings, use different types of bread, or adjust the custard mixture to suit your taste. It’s also a great make-ahead breakfast casserole that saves you time in the morning.

Key Ingredients

French Toast Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast dish that is perfect for feeding a crowd. The key ingredients that make up this dish are bread, eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, butter, and vanilla extract.

The bread is the most important ingredient in this recipe as it serves as the base for the casserole. French bread, sourdough, challah, or brioche are all great options for this dish. You can use fresh or stale bread, but it is recommended to use bread that is at least a day old as it will absorb the custard mixture better.

Eggs are another essential ingredient as they provide the structure and texture for the casserole. You will need about 8 large eggs for this recipe. Milk is also important as it makes the custard mixture creamy and rich. You can use whole milk, 2% milk, or a combination of milk and heavy cream.

Sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract are used to add sweetness and flavor to the casserole. Brown sugar, granulated sugar, or a combination of both can be used. Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg are commonly used spices in this dish.

Butter is used to grease the baking dish and to dot the top of the casserole before baking. You can also add toppings such as fresh berries, nuts, maple syrup, or powdered sugar to enhance the flavor and presentation of the dish.

In summary, French Toast Casserole is made with bread, eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, butter, and vanilla extract. You can customize the recipe by using different types of bread, adding toppings, or adjusting the amount of sugar and spices to your liking.

Preparation Steps

Making French Toast Casserole is easy and can be done ahead of time, making it a perfect breakfast option for busy mornings or when hosting guests. Here are the steps to prepare a delicious French Toast Casserole:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Cut a loaf of French bread into 1 inch cubes and place them evenly in the greased baking dish.

3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 3 cups of milk, 4 teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ¾ teaspoon of salt until well combined.

4. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread is coated. Use a spatula to gently press down on the bread to ensure it is soaked in the egg mixture.

5. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. This will allow the bread to absorb the egg mixture and make the casserole extra moist and flavorful.

6. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle a topping of your choice over the casserole. Chopped nuts, cinnamon, and brown sugar are popular topping options.

7. Bake the French Toast Casserole for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set.

8. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Homemade syrup, whipped cream, or fresh berries are great accompaniments to the baked French Toast.

9. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop the casserole in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Some tips to keep in mind while making French Toast Casserole:

• Use a day-old or slightly stale bread for best results as it will absorb the egg mixture better.

• If you don’t have time to refrigerate the casserole overnight, you can let it sit for at least 30 minutes before baking.

• Make sure to preheat your oven before baking to ensure even cooking.

• To prevent the casserole from sticking to the baking dish, you can line it with parchment paper or grease it well with cooking spray.

• Experiment with different toppings and flavorings to customize the casserole to your taste.

Serving and Storing

French Toast Casserole is a perfect dish to serve at brunch or a breakfast gathering. It is easy to make and can feed a crowd. Most recipes serve between 8-12 people, depending on the size of the casserole dish used.

To serve, you can add a finishing touch of fresh berries, whipped cream, or powdered sugar. This adds a pop of color and sweetness to the dish. You can also serve it with maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness.

If you have leftovers, French Toast Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To store, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

If you have a lot of leftovers and don’t think you can finish them all in 3-4 days, you can freeze them. To freeze, cut the casserole into individual portions and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months.

When you are ready to eat the frozen leftovers, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat them in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

In summary, French Toast Casserole is a great dish to serve at brunch or breakfast gatherings. You can add a finishing touch of fresh berries, whipped cream, or powdered sugar to make it even more special. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat the leftovers in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving.

Nutritional Information

If you are watching your calorie intake, you may be wondering about the nutritional information of French Toast Casserole. This dish is a popular breakfast option, but it can be high in calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

According to Nutritionix, one cup (200g) of Baked French Toast Casserole contains 437 calories, 20g of total fat, 11g of saturated fat, 217mg of cholesterol, and 410mg of sodium. It also contains 53g of total carbohydrates, 0.7g of dietary fiber, 34g of total sugars, and 12g of protein.

If you are tracking your daily nutrient intake, you may be interested to know that one serving of French Toast Casserole provides 26% of your daily value of total fat, 55% of your daily value of saturated fat, 72% of your daily value of cholesterol, and 18% of your daily value of sodium. It also provides 19% of your daily value of total carbohydrates and 3% of your daily value of dietary fiber.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a dish that is high in protein, French Toast Casserole may not be the best option. One serving provides only 12g of protein, which is 24% of the recommended daily value.

It is important to note that the nutritional information of French Toast Casserole may vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used. If you are on a medically restrictive diet or have specific dietary needs, it is recommended that you consult a nutritionist or use a nutrition database such as the ESHA Research Database.

In summary, French Toast Casserole can be a tasty breakfast option, but it is important to be mindful of its nutritional information and portion size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make an overnight French toast casserole with brioche?

To make an overnight French toast casserole with brioche, start by slicing the brioche bread into 1-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices in a single layer in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture over the bread slices, making sure that each slice is coated well. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

What is a good recipe for challah French toast casserole?

To make a delicious challah French toast casserole, start by cutting the challah bread into 1-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture over the bread slices, making sure that each slice is coated well. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

What are some healthy substitutions for French toast casserole?

To make a healthier version of French toast casserole, you can use whole wheat bread instead of white bread, and use almond milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk. You can also use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar, and add fresh fruit like berries or sliced bananas for natural sweetness. Additionally, you can use egg whites instead of whole eggs to reduce the cholesterol content.

How do you make a French toast casserole with cream cheese?

To make a cream cheese French toast casserole, start by cutting the bread into 1-inch thick slices. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. In a separate mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add the egg mixture to the cream cheese and mix well. Arrange the bread slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the bread slices, making sure that each slice is coated well. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

What is a recipe for blueberry French toast casserole?

To make a blueberry French toast casserole, start by cutting the bread into 1-inch thick slices. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Arrange the bread slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle fresh or frozen blueberries over the bread slices. Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices and blueberries, making sure that each slice is coated well. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

How do you make a cinnamon French toast casserole?

To make a cinnamon French toast casserole, start by cutting the bread into 1-inch thick slices. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Arrange the bread slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle cinnamon over the bread slices. Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, making sure that each slice is coated well. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.