Discover a comforting breakfast with this French Toast Casserole Egg Nog masterpiece. Rich brioche and a creamy custard infused with vanilla and cinnamon create a delightful symphony of flavors and textures. Enjoy an effortless morning treat with our Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake for an unforgettable start to your day.

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I’ve been making this French Toast Casserole for a while now and it never disappoints. I love that it’s a make-ahead recipe that turns into a comforting breakfast or dessert, depending on how you serve it.

The dish is rich, eggy, and has just a hint of cinnamon that really brings the flavors together. I use 8 cups of cubed day old brioche, 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Sometimes I add 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter to make it even richer, and I like to dust a bit of powdered sugar on top when serving. I’ve found that recipes like this, which remind me of my early morning eggnog toast bakes, are perfect for a chilly Xmas morning when you need that extra bit of comfort food.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I love how rich and custardy it turns out, like every bite is smooth and full of flavor.
2. I really like the hint of cinnamon that gives it a warm, comforting taste.
3. I appreciate how simple it is to prep ahead, making my mornings less stressful.
4. I enjoy that there’s room for a little extra richness if I feel like adding melted butter or extra spices.

This French toast casserole is seriously the best. Its got a super eggy flavor mixed with just the right amount of cinnamon, perfect for those mornings when I need something comforting but easy to make ahead. Plus, the way the bread soaks up all those flavors, it just makes every bite amazing.

Ingredients

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Cubed bread: Provides carbs and some fiber, plus holds up the egg custard nicely.
Eggs: Great protein that binds everything together and gives a rich custardy feel.
Whole milk & heavy cream: Adds creaminess and fats, though can be unhealthy in excess.
Sugar & vanilla: Sweetens the dish and boosts flavor, but too much isn’t healthy.
Cinnamon & salt: Simple spices that add warmth and balance to each tasty bite.

Ingredient Quantities

8 cups cubed day old bread (brioche or challah are great for this)

8 large eggs

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional: 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting when serving

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch casserole pan really well.

2. In a big bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until smooth.

3. If you want to add that extra richness, mix in the melted unsalted butter with the egg mixture.

4. Pour the day old bread cubes (brioche or challah work great) into the greased pan.

5. Next, pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes making sure they get all soaked up.

6. Let the casserole sit for at least 30 minutes so the bread can really absorb the flavors.

7. Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the eggs have set and the top is lightly browned.

8. Check the casserole around the 35-minute mark and continue baking if needed until it is properly cooked.

9. Once its done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to settle.

10. Serve warm and if you like, dust with powdered sugar before digging in. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 9×13 inch casserole pan
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Whisk
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for melting butter (if using)
7. Cooling rack for letting the dish settle
8. Serving utensils, like a spatula and plates

These are all the basic pieces of equipment you would need for the recipe.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of bread?

Yep, you can use any day-old bread, but brioche or challah really bring out the flavor.

Do I really need the heavy cream?

Not necessarily, you can swap it for more whole milk if you dont have any cream, though the casserole might be a bit less rich.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Sure thing, you can mix all it up and let it sit overnight in the fridge, then just bake it when you're ready.

What’s the point of the optional melted butter?

The butter really adds a nice moisture and flavor boost, but if you’re trying to cut back on fats, you can leave it out.

How do I know when it's done?

Look for a golden top and set center, and if you insert a toothpick it should come out clean.

French Toast Casserole Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Whole Milk: If you dont have whole milk, you can use almond milk or even oat milk instead then the casserole still turns out moist.
Heavy Cream: Instead of heavy cream, try using coconut cream which gives a slight coconut hint, or if you’re in a pinch, a bit more milk can work too.
Granulated Sugar: You can swap out granulated sugar with brown sugar for a deeper flavor note, though it might make the dish a bit moister.
Vanilla Extract: If you dont have vanilla extract, a splash of almond extract gives a nice twist though use a little less since it’s stronger in flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Try letting the bread soak for a little longer than the recipe calls for, even up to overnight if you can plan ahead, so the custard gets super rich and infused with all those flavors.
2. Make sure you greased your pan really well; if you skim over that part, the dish might stick and then cleaning up becomes a total pain.
3. If you like a bit of extra crispiness on top, you can pop it under the broiler for just a minute at the end to get that golden finish, but be careful not to burn it.
4. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a pinch of nutmeg or even a dash of orange zest in the egg mix for an extra twist that can really brighten up the flavor.