This make-ahead French toast bake is the best Christmas breakfast! It’s a delicious family favorite and is the perfect dish to make for the holidays.
French Toast Bake
This French toast bake is absolutely delicious. It holds its shape so well and is packed with tons of delicious flavor from the cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, eggs, and milk. Whether you’re serving it for a lazy weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch for Christmas or Easter, or a make-ahead breakfast on a busy weekday, this easy French toast bake is always a family favorite.
This brioche french toast bake uses an egg based bread, like brioche or challah, because it holds its shape so well and does an amazing job absorbing the flavors of the egg mixture overnight. That creates a flavorful French toast bake with a delightful soft center and a nicely baked golden brown crust. After baking, I love to top it with fresh berries, maple syrup, or even a dusting of powdered sugar.
I especially love making this whenever I know I need to feed a crowd on a special day. It’s one of my favorite recipes to make for Christmas morning. Since all the work is done the day before, it really takes the pressure off of those busy holiday mornings.
It’s literally 10 times easier than making French toast on the stove, plus everyone is sure to love this oven-baked version. I promise you that this scrumptious make-ahead breakfast casserole will have everyone at the table asking for seconds, and even thirds!
Looking for more holiday brunch inspiration? Be sure to check out our Crockpot French toast casserole, this cinnamon French toast, our cinnamon roll casserole, and this Bisquick cinnamon rolls recipe. They all have tons of 5-star reviews!
Ingredients
Bread: Day-old thick-cut bread like challah or brioche is the best choice for this French toast bake. These types of bread are sturdy and can soak up the egg mixture without falling apart.
Eggs: Eggs are crucial for the custard base of this dish. They provide richness and help to set the structure of the dish when it bakes.
Whole Milk: Whole milk gives it its creamy texture. The fat in the milk also adds richness to the flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds a sweet, aromatic flavor that complements the richness of the other ingredients. Even though pure vanilla extract is best, you can also use imitation vanilla extract with good results in this dish.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is a warming spice that pairs perfectly with the sweet, creamy elements of this dish.
Sugar: We’re adding just enough granulated sugar to sweeten it without making it overly sweet.
Salt: A pinch of fine sea salt is used to balance out the sweetness and enhance the other flavors in this French toast bake.
Alternative Ingredients
If you’re looking to switch things up, there are plenty of options. For a fruity twist, consider adding blueberries or apple slices before baking. For a creamier texture, swirls of cream cheese can be a delicious addition. If you’re looking for a bit of crunch, adding some pecans or walnuts will do the trick.
How To Make French Toast Bake
Prepare the Baking Dish: Begin by greasing your baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)
Arrange the Bread: Next, place your day-old slices of bread in the prepared baking dish. They can overlap slightly if necessary.
Whisk the Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, slowly whisk together the eggs.
And then add whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, and salt.
Soak the Bread: Pour this mixture evenly over the bread, making sure all the slices are soaked. Gently press down the bread with a spatula to help it absorb the liquid.
Refrigerate: Once your bread is well soaked, cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator to rest. This allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture.
Preheat and Bake: Once the bread is finished resting, preheat your oven. While the oven is heating, let your dish sit on the counter at room temperature. Once the oven is ready, bake your dish until the top is golden brown and the bread is set.
Cool and Serve: Finally, let your French toast bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with your choice of maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy! See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, and helpful tips, etc.
Why Is My French Toast Casserole Soggy?
If your casserole is soggy, it’s likely that you didn’t use the right type of bread or you didn’t use enough bread to fully absorb the egg and milk mixture. Be sure to follow the bread to liquid ratios in the recipe card, use slices of thick, day-old bread, and give it plenty of time to absorb the liquids.
What Is The Best Kind Of Bread To Make French Toast With?
A thick-cut, slightly stale bread like challah or brioche makes the best French toast. These types of bread can hold up well to soaking and baking, resulting in French toast that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Should French Toast Have More Eggs Or Milk?
The perfect French toast strikes a balance between eggs and milk. Too many eggs can make it taste eggy, while too much milk can make it too soft.
How Do You Keep French Toast?
To store your French toast bake, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just reheat it in the oven or microwave until it’s warm.
What Can I Use Instead of Whole Milk?
If you don’t have whole milk on hand, don’t worry! Heavy cream can be used for a richer flavor, almond milk for a dairy-free option, or even a half-and-half mixture of milk and cream. The key is to use a creamy liquid for the bread to absorb to give it that delicious, creamy flavor.
Can I Use Fresh Bread Instead of Day-Old Bread?
I recommend using day-old bread for this french toast casserole. It absorbs the custard better, which prevents the casserole from getting soggy. If you don’t already have slightly stale bread, lay the bread on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes at 225F to help remove the excess moisture.
How Can I Make My French Toast Bake More Flavorful?
I love adding a sprinkle of nutmeg or a dash of clove for a warm spice flavor. For a citrusy twist, add in some orange or lemon zest. You can also add a little bit of dried fruit, nuts, or even chocolate chips.
Can I Freeze French Toast Bake?
This French toast bake freezes well. Just make sure to let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the oven until it’s warmed through.
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Holiday Recipes
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other sweet holiday recipes. Some reader favorites are:
- Crockpot French Toast Casserole
- Not Yo Mamas Banana Pudding
- Pecan Pie Cobbler
- Buttermilk Pie
- Watergate Salad
- Sugar Cream Pie
- Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Bisquick Cinnamon Rolls
BEST French Toast Bake (Baked French Toast Casserole)
Make-ahead French toast bake is the best Christmas breakfast! It’s a delicious family favorite and is the perfect brunch for the holidays.
Ingredients
French Toast Bake:
- 8 slices of day-old thick-cut bread, like challah or brioche (sliced 1.5 inches thick, see notes for Texas Toast*)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Optional Toppings for Serving:
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- Arrange the day-old slices of bread in the prepared baking dish. They can slightly overlap if needed.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, and salt. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread, making sure all slices are soaked. Gently press down the bread with a spatula to make sure they absorb the liquid.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight, to allow the bread to soak up the egg mixture.
- When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350F and pull your baking dish out of the fridge to let it rest at room temperature while the oven preheats.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread is set.
- Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with your choice of maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat the oven to 350F and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes.
For an extra rich flavor, you can substitute half of the whole milk with heavy cream.
*If you’re using Texas Toast, it will be sliced about 1” thick instead of the 1.5” thick the recipe calls for. If you want to double layer the French toast bake with Texas Toast to make it more substantial, here’s how you would adapt it: After arranging the first layer of Texas Toast in the greased baking dish, pour about half of the egg mixture over it. Then, place a second layer of Texas Toast on top of the first layer, and pour the remaining egg mixture over the second layer of bread. Make sure all the bread slices are well soaked in the egg mixture. You can gently press down the bread with a spatula to make sure they absorb the liquid. Follow the rest of the recipe as is. Keep in mind that this will make the bake denser, so you might have to slightly increase the baking time, by about 5 to 10 minutes, to make sure that the middle is cooked through.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/8Amount Per Serving: Calories: 227Total Fat: 6.9gCarbohydrates: 30.1gFiber: 1.1gSugar: 11.5gProtein: 10.8g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Whether it’s a lazy Sunday brunch, a busy weekday breakfast, or a special holiday treat, this French toast bake recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
