If you love classic French toast but don’t love standing at the stove flipping slices one by one, this Easy French Toast Casserole is your solution. It transforms simple pantry staples into a rich, custardy breakfast bake with golden edges and a soft, fluffy center — perfect for holidays, brunch gatherings, or lazy weekends.

This recipe delivers all the cinnamon-vanilla flavor of traditional French toast with the convenience of a prep-ahead casserole. It’s beginner-friendly, adaptable, and guaranteed to impress.

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Why You’ll Love This French Toast Casserole

• ✔ Make-ahead friendly
• ✔ Feeds a crowd
• ✔ Minimal hands-on cooking
• ✔ Customizable toppings
• ✔ Perfect for holidays and brunch

It’s the kind of dish you prep at night and bake fresh in the morning — effortless and delicious.

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What Is French Toast Casserole?

French toast casserole is essentially baked French toast. Instead of dipping individual slices in egg custard and cooking them in a skillet, cubes or slices of bread are soaked in a sweet custard mixture, layered in a baking dish, and baked until set.

The result:

• Custardy interior
• Slightly crisp golden top
• Warm cinnamon flavor
• Sliceable, shareable portions

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Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 loaf day-old French bread or brioche (about 12–14 oz)
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

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Optional Streusel Topping (Highly Recommended)

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup cold butter, cubed

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Day-old bread works best because it absorbs custard without becoming soggy.

Place cubes evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

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Step 2: Make the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Vanilla
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

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Step 3: Pour & Soak

Pour custard evenly over bread cubes. Press lightly with a spatula to ensure all pieces are coated.

Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours — preferably overnight for best flavor and texture.

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Step 4: Add Streusel (Optional)

In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.

Sprinkle evenly over soaked casserole before baking.

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Step 5: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes until center is set and top is golden brown.

The casserole should jiggle slightly in the middle but not look wet.

Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

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Flavor & Texture Profile

This casserole offers:

• Soft custardy interior
• Crisp golden edges
• Warm cinnamon-vanilla aroma
• Slight crunch from streusel topping

The contrast between creamy center and crisp top makes it irresistible.

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Why This Recipe Works

• Day-old bread absorbs custard evenly
• Cream + milk create rich texture
• Overnight soak deepens flavor
• Slow baking ensures even cooking
• Streusel adds texture contrast

The science behind it is simple: eggs set into a custard structure when heated, binding everything together.

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Best Bread for French Toast Casserole

Choose sturdy bread with good structure:

• Brioche (rich and buttery)
• French bread (classic choice)
• Challah (soft yet strong)
• Texas toast

Avoid very soft sandwich bread — it can turn mushy.

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Make-Ahead Instructions

This recipe is ideal for prepping ahead:

Night Before:
Assemble and refrigerate.

Morning Of:
Add topping and bake.

It’s perfect for:

• Christmas morning
• Easter brunch
• Mother’s Day
• Overnight guests

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Delicious Variations

1. Berry French Toast Casserole

Add 1–2 cups fresh blueberries or strawberries between layers.

2. Apple Cinnamon Version

Add sautéed apples with brown sugar and cinnamon.

3. Cream Cheese Stuffed

Layer cubes with sweetened cream cheese mixture.

4. Pumpkin Spice

Replace part of milk with pumpkin puree + pumpkin spice.

5. Nutty Crunch

Add chopped pecans or walnuts to topping.

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Topping Ideas

Serve warm with:

• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries
• Whipped cream
• Caramel drizzle
• Honey

For a bakery-style presentation, dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

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Pro Tips for Perfect Results

1. Use Slightly Stale Bread

Fresh bread becomes too soft.

2. Don’t Skip the Soak

At least 2 hours ensures even custard absorption.

3. Cover If Browning Too Fast

Tent loosely with foil halfway through baking if needed.

4. Let Rest Before Serving

Helps custard fully set.

5. Check Center with Knife

It should come out mostly clean.

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Nutritional Overview (Approximate Per Serving)

• Calories: 350–450
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 18g

Exact values depend on toppings and portion size.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using too much liquid
• Not soaking long enough
• Overbaking (causes dryness)
• Skipping buttering the dish
• Cutting too small bread cubes

Precision ensures the right texture.

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How to Store & Reheat

Refrigerate:

Store leftovers up to 4 days in airtight container.

Reheat:

Warm in oven at 300°F or microwave individual slices.

Freeze:

Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months.

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Serving for a Crowd

For large gatherings:

• Double recipe
• Use two 9×13 pans
• Bake simultaneously
• Rotate pans halfway

French toast casserole slices neatly, making it easy to serve buffet-style.

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Can You Make It Lighter?

Yes:

• Use low-fat milk
• Reduce sugar slightly
• Skip streusel topping
• Add fresh fruit instead

Texture remains soft and delicious.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake it immediately instead of overnight?

Yes — let it soak at least 30 minutes minimum.

Why is my casserole soggy?

Too much liquid or underbaked center.

Can I use almond milk?

Yes, though texture may be slightly less rich.

Can I add chocolate chips?

Absolutely — sprinkle between layers.

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What to Serve With French Toast Casserole

To create a full brunch spread, pair with:

• Scrambled eggs
• Breakfast sausage
• Fresh fruit salad
• Yogurt parfaits
• Coffee or mimosas

The casserole acts as the sweet centerpiece.

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Final Thoughts

This Easy French Toast Casserole is the ultimate stress-free breakfast bake. It combines warm cinnamon flavor, creamy custard texture, and golden baked edges into one crowd-pleasing dish.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or simply want a cozy weekend breakfast, this make-ahead casserole delivers every time. It’s simple, customizable, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

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