Overnight French Toast Casserole
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This quick and easy French Toast Casserole can be made the day before and refrigerated overnight so it’s ready to bake and enjoy in the morning. An overnight french toast bake with praline topping is perfect for a crowd or any holiday morning.
Table of Contents
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Oh the classic french toast recipe, a staple of most childhoods that bring back fond memories of quality family time.
French toast has always been my favorite weekend breakfast treat to make when the whole family is around because it’s always a hit that everyone drools over.
My family can not get enough of this overnight french toast casserole that takes your average french toast and takes it up a notch with a fun twist. The added praline topping makes for the most amazing crunchy top layer that melts into the sweet dense french bread.
This casserole is just what you need on your breakfast menu this weekend, no matter the occasion.
What Kind of Bread is Best For Overnight French Toast?
Some might say any bread is fine to use for a french toast casserole, but I disagree. While technically speaking you can use any type of bread and come out with an edible result, it doesn’t mean you will come out with something everyone will love. As someone who is all about using whatever ingredients I have laying around, I’m telling you, please don’t use that loaf of white bunny bread just because it’s convenient.
A thick artisan bread typically works best for a recipe like this.
Here is a list of my favorite types of bread to use:
- French bread
- Brioche
- Challah
- Sourdough
How To Make An Overnight French Toast Casserole
This isn’t your average simple french toast recipe, it’s the sophisticated, more flavorful version you wish your mom had the recipe for when you were growing up.
When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
First, you will prep your glaze and pour it into a prepared baking dish. Next, lay the slices of bread atop the glaze and set aside. Now we’ll move onto prepping the custard by combining
Combine the cream, eggs, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl and pour the mixture over the bread in the pan. Cover the pan with foil, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or overnight up to 24 hours.
When you’re ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and preheat the oven. While the oven is preheating, make the praline topping and sprinkle the mixture over the bread. Lastly, bake the French toast until it’s bubbly and the top is very lightly browned.
Tips For Making The Best French Toast Bake
How to avoid soggy french toast: Make sure you are using a hard, crunchy bread, that’s at least a day old (not fresh out of the bakery). This will give the bread more stability and allow it to hold up better as the liquids soak in.
Also, make sure you are using enough bread slices. If your liquid to bread ratio is off and there is too much liquid soaking into each slice, you have a higher risk of the slices becoming oversaturated.
Add your favorite toppings: This basic recipe is just a jumping-off point. If you really want to take this brush dish to the next level, add any of these toppings before serving, or set out a self-serve spread of toppings so everyone can make their own creation.
- Bananas, Strawberries, blueberries
- Chocolate chips, peanut butter chips
- Pecans, walnuts, almonds
How To Store and Serve This Overnight French Toast Casserole
How to freeze french toast casserole: To freeze your leftover casserole, let it cool completely and wrap the dish with plastic wrap then foil. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. To serve from frozen, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat thaw overnight in the fridge, remove all the wrapping and reheat it in the oven on 350° F for 20 minutes.
How to store overnight french toast in the refrigerator: To store in the refrigerator after baking, prep the dish in the same way you would if you were going to freeze it (cover with plastic wrap then foil) or cut the casserole into individual servings and place in an airtight container. Store for up 3-4 days.
Serving a leftover french toast bake: When serving any leftover french toast, I like to reheat the individual serving in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. It can also be served cold too.
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This Overnight French Toast Bake with praline topping is the perfect crowd-pleaser for any holiday morning. Make it ahead, relax, and enjoy a delicious, stress-free breakfast everyone will love!
Tools Used To Make This Overnight French Toast Casserole
This rectangle casserole dish is always my go-to for any casseroles, both sweet and savory!
Everyone should have a good set of mixing bowls in their kitchen. This set is my favorite because the variety of sizes means I always have exactly what I need available.
Everyone needs a good medium saucepan in their kitchen, and this Cuisinart pan has always been my favorite and has help up through hundreds of uses throughout the years.
Overnight French Toast Casserole
This quick and easy French Toast Casserole with a praline topping can be made the day before and refrigerated overnight so it’s ready to bake and enjoy in the morning. A breakfast or brunch recipe special enough for any gathering.
Ingredients
GLAZE
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey, maple syrup or corn syrup
BREAD
- 1 loaf DAY OLD French or other crusty bread cut 1/2" thick
CUSTARD
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 5 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
TOPPING
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9" x 13" baking dish (or a shallow 2-quart casserole dish).
- To make the glaze: Using a small saucepan melt the butter, and stir in the brown sugar and syrup. Bring the mixture to a simmer for about one minute or until the sugar dissolves. Pour the glaze into the prepared pan, spreading it to the corners with a rubber spatula.
- Lay the slices of bread in the pan, atop the glaze.
- To make the custard: In a medium bowl whisk together the cream, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Pour over the bread in the pan, pressing the bread down into the custard to ensure slices are evenly soaked.
- Cover the pan with foil, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or overnight up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and set on the counter for 15-20 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Make the praline topping by stirring together the brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the bread.
- Bake the French toast for 40 to 45 minutes, until it’s bubbly and the top is very lightly browned.
- Remove it from the oven, and allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve individual slices of bread, turning it over on the plate so the syrupy bottom is on top.
Notes
recipe from King Arthur
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 634Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 175mgSodium: 611mgCarbohydrates: 80gFiber: 2gSugar: 43gProtein: 12g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used.
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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