Monday, September 26, 2022

Overnight French Toast Bake

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Refrigerate Overnight6 hours
Total Time1 hour
Servings8
Calories580 kcal
AuthorLil' Luna

Ingredients
▢1 loaf sourdough bread
▢8 eggs
▢2 c milk
▢1/2 c heavy whipping cream
▢3/4 c sugar
▢1 TB vanilla extract
Topping
▢1/2 c all-purpose flour
▢1/2 c brown sugar
▢1 tsp cinnamon
▢1/4 tsp salt
▢1/2 c butter cold, cut into pieces
 evening and find us eating Belgian Waffles or Buttermilk Pancakes.

Breakfast recipes are just that great! I feel like we don’t get to eat them often enough in the mornings since we’re usually in a rush, but we occasionally get to enjoy them on the weekends and holidays. One holiday we always have breakfast is on Mother’s Day. And usually I’m not the one that has to bake it!! 😉

One of my favorite recipes to enjoy on this day is French Toast, and more specifically, today’s French Toast Bake. This breakfast bake is simple to make and is beyond delicious!!


This french toast casserole is made from pieces of sourdough bread, covered in an egg mixture, and topped with a buttery cinnamon sugar topping. Talk about DELICIOUS, right?!

Cut up sourdough bread for french toast bake
WHAT IS THE BEST BREAD FOR FRENCH TOAST?
This baked french toast casserole recipe calls for sourdough bread, which is my personal favorite (and the only kind I’ve ever used). But if you don’t have sourdough on hand, there are a few other options you could try!

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The main idea is that you want the bread to be sturdy enough that it will hold up after being combined with the egg mixture. Thinly sliced or squishy bread (think wonder bread) can fall apart while cooking after being soaked in the egg mixture. It’s also a bonus if it’s available in an uncut loaf, because then you can slice and cube it perfectly. Here are some other options:

Brioche
Challah
Pullman Loaf
French Bread
If you try any other breads, you’ll have to let me know how it turns out!

I think what makes it so good is the sourdough bread… oh, and the butter and the cinnamon and the sugar. It’s definitely one of our favorite dishes to make for holidays and weekend breakfasts!

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French Toast bake brown sugar topping
HOW TO MAKE FRENCH TOAST BAKE:
This recipe takes a few steps but is quite simple. To begin, cut your bread or loaf into cubes and place into a greased 9×13 pan.

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In a bowl, mix together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover your pan with cling warp and refrigerate overnight.

Make streusel topping by mixing together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with this mixture until crumbly and place in a Ziploc bag. Refrigerate this mixture overnight as well.

When ready to bake, sprinkle crumbly mixture evenly over bread and bake.

VARIATIONS:
For a more savory casserole add: ham and cheese, chorizo, green chile, sausage or crumbled bacon.

For a sweet casserole add: thinly sliced apple, orange zest, sliced apricots, sliced pineapple, blueberries, chopped pecans

Overnight French Toast Bake Process Pic

TIPS, TRICKS, AND FAQ
Why is my french toast bake soggy? This casserole should be soft on the bottom and crisp on the top. If you find your casserole comes out too soggy try some of these tips:

Soak the bread in a separate bowl: If there’s too much egg in the pan it may be left a little soggy. One way around this is to store your bread mixture overnight in a bowl. In the morning transfer the bread to the baking dish leaving behind the extra liquid.
Choose the correct bread: choose a dense bread such as Brioche, Challah, Pullman Loaf, or French Bread.
Use a lipped cookie sheet instead of a 9×13 baking dish. You will have to adjust the bake time and watch carefully.
Not soaking the bread long enough: You want the egg mixture to seep deep into the bread for a soft custardy center. If the mixture doesn’t have time to soak into the bread it may end up creating a soggy mess.

Can you freeze it? Yes, you can choose to freeze it before or after baking. Wrap dish with plastic wrap then foil. It can keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat thaw overnight in the fridge, remove all the wrapping and bake. If it been prebaked cook at 350 degree F for 20 minutes. If it has not been pre-baked, cook according to recipe directions.

Can french toast casserole be cooked in crock pot? Yes make according to recipe directions. Refrigerate for 6-10 hours in the ceramic crock pot. Place the ceramic pot into the heating base, cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

French Toast Casserole in baking dish

WHAT TO SERVE WITH FRENCH TOAST BAKE:
Homemade Buttermilk Syrup
Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Crescent Roll Sausage Bake
Copycat Orange Julius
Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup
FOR MORE FRENCH TOAST RECIPES, CHECK OUT:
Pound Cake French Toast
Eggnog French Toast
French Toast Muffins
Creme Brûlée French Toast
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake
Pumpkin French Toast Bake

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE RECIPE

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4.96 from 479 votes
This super delicious overnight French Toast Bake recipe takes French toast to a whole new level! Pieces of sourdough bread covered in an egg mixture, topped with cinnamon sugar, and baked to perfection! This easy French toast casserole is the ultimate holiday or weekend breakfast!!
CourseBreakfast
CuisineAmerican
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Refrigerate Overnight6 hours
Total Time1 hour
Servings8
Calories580 kcal
AuthorLil' Luna

Ingredients
▢1 loaf sourdough bread
▢8 eggs
▢2 c milk
▢1/2 c heavy whipping cream
▢3/4 c sugar
▢1 TB vanilla extract
Topping
▢1/2 c all-purpose flour
▢1/2 c brown sugar
▢1 tsp cinnamon
▢1/4 tsp salt
▢1/2 c butter cold, cut into pieces 


Instructions
 
1. Cut loaf into cubes and place evenly in a greased 9x13 pan.
2. In a bowl, mix together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread.
3. Cover your pan with Saran Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
4. Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.
5. Cut in butter with this mixture until crumbly and place in a Ziploc bag and refrigerate overnight as well.
6. Take pan and Ziploc out when ready to bake. Sprinkle crumbly mixture evenly over the bread.
7. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on how soft you like it.