Overnight French Toast Breakfast Casserole is the perfect recipe to serve for brunch when you have family and friends over for special occasions.
This is also another great prep-ahead breakast idea. Let me show you how easy serving breakfast really can be with this delicious recipe.
This is a decadent version of a Classic French Toast and it's also very similar to one of the very first recipes shared with you on this blog for French Toast Casserole.
This recipe is delicious, decadent and easy because most of the work is done the night before you serve the breakfast casserole.
Table of Contents
What is Texas Toast?
This recipe calls for Texas Toast Sandwich Bread. It is not to be confused with Frozen Texas Toast that is often seasoned with butter, garlic and herbs.
You can find Texas Toast Sandwich Bread in the bread aisle of your grocery store. Some of you have emailed me asking for a substitute for thick sliced sandwich bread since you can't seem to find any in your area.
Recently I came up with a solution that should help us all make something amazing for breakfast or brunch this coming weekend.
Good Morning Sunshine Breakfast eBookClick HERE for More Information
What Type of Bread Works Best for this Casserole?
For this recipe, you want to use a rich bread that has butter in the dough. This type of bread is perfect for soaking up the egg mixture.
- Brioche Bread - instead of Texas Toast sandwich bread, I used a loaf of Brioche bread from the bakery department in my grocery store.
- Challah Bread - another version of brioche bread.
- Chocolate Brioche Bread - this would be really delicious!
- Hawaiian Bread - you could use those delicious Hawaiian rolls we all love to snack on in this recipe as well!
- Potato Bread - a last resort but this will work as well.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
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📋Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.
- 1 loaf Brioche or Challah Bread; cubed
- Melted Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Chopped pecans; optional
- Vanilla
- Eggs
- Milk
🥣Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium sized bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped pecans. Then in another bowl, combine the eggs, milk and vanilla together. Melt the butter and pour into the bottom of a 9X12 casserole dish. Next, place the cubed bread in the casserole dish on top of the melted butter.
- Step 2: Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes making sure all are evenly covered.
- Step 3: Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on top and then cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator overnight.
📌Quick Tip: Do not move your glass casserole dish from one temperature extreme to the other. You need the Pyrex dish to come to room temperature. If you were to put the cold baking dish in the oven, the dish could burst due to the rapid heat difference of a hot oven. Let it sit on the counter top for about 30 minutes.
- Step 4: The next morning, remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator. Allow the casserole to come to room temperature; about 30 minutes. This is a very important step! Bake in a preheated 350°F oven uncovered for 30 minutes or until the bread is browned and the egg mixture has set.
🥣Serving Tips
Serve this recipe with fresh cooked bacon or sausage. You will also want to serve it with plenty of warm syrup and maybe a sprinkle of powdered sugar or fresh berries.
I don't think you need to add any more butter when serving this recipe as it's very rich. In fact, this is a recipe that you only want to serve once in awhile for special occasions or holiday celebrations.
Before You Begin!
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🍶Storage Tips
- Allow the French Toast Casserole to cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator.
- The casserole should be consumed within 3-4 days. If you plan on freezing the casserole, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then again with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost the casserole in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.
❄️Freezing Tips
- If you plan on freezing the casserole, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then again with aluminum foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
🔁 Thawing and Reheating Tips
- When ready to eat, defrost the casserole in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
🌟Try these recipes next...
- Spinach Bacon Cheese Frittata - I make this almost every Sunday for brunch after church.
- Banana Nut Bread - with maple syrup in the batter!
- Homemade Blueberry Muffins
- Individual French Toast Cups
📇Recipe Card
📖 Recipe Card
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Overnight French Toast Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Brioche or Challah Bread; cubed
- ½ cup butter; melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- ½ cup chopped pecans; optional
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 5 eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped pecans.
- In another bowl, combine the eggs, milk and vanilla together.
- Melt the butter and pour into the bottom of a 9X12 casserole dish.
- Place the cubed bread in the casserole dish on top of the melted butter.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes making sure all are evenly covered.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on top.
- Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator. Allow the casserole dish to come to room temperature before baking in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the bread is browned and the egg mixture has set.
- Serve with warm syrup.
Notes
- It's very important that you allow the casserole to come to room temperature before baking. Do not move your glass casserole dish from one temperature extreme to the other. Let it sit on the counter top for about 30 minutes.
- You can cover the casserole lightly with aluminum foil if you notice the bread is getting too brown while baking.
Nutrition
Nutritional estimates are provided using an online calculator and is an estimate per serving. Calorie accuracy isn't guaranteed.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
gina says
That looks easier than my version! Can't wait to make it - I haven't in such a long time. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Allyson says
Thanks for giving bread options in case it's needed. This looks so decadent ~ perfect for a Christmas morning breakfast. Pinned.
Mary Ann Kennedy says
I tried the Texas Toast version using Almond milk and it didn't seem to be done in the middle You sent me this one and I tried it with Lactaid milk. It was better but still a little doughy in the middle. I needed a dish for a family Sibcation and made this at the lake place. I put half of the sugar mixture over half of the bread and then followed the directions with the remainder. I turned the heat up to 360 and it baked just fine. I served it with sliced strawberries sugared overnight and syrup as the group chose.
It was a hit with our family and I will make it again
Lois says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe and were able to make it work for your family's dietary needs. Thanks for sharing with me. I appreciate the feedback!