If you are looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing breakfast that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe is going to be your new go-to. Combining the rich custard-soaked bread with a golden, buttery topping, this dish brings together the perfect blend of sweetness and spice that everyone loves. It’s as simple as cubing some day-old bread and letting it soak up a luscious vanilla-cinnamon custard overnight for maximum flavor and texture. Whether you’re making it for a holiday brunch or a special weekend treat, this casserole guarantees smiles and seconds around the table.

Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this delightful baked French toast casserole, you’ll only need a handful of kitchen staples that come together in a beautifully balanced way. Each ingredient plays a key role, from adding creaminess to a hint of warm spice, ensuring every bite is flavorful and satisfying.

Day-old bread (1 loaf): Using day-old French bread, brioche, challah, or ciabatta helps it soak up the custard without turning mushy.
Large eggs (6): Eggs provide structure and that rich, custardy texture you crave in baked French toast.
Milk (2 ¼ cups): Whole milk is preferred to add creaminess and depth to the custard.
Pure maple syrup or light brown sugar (1 tbsp): Adds natural sweetness that complements the cinnamon and vanilla.
Ground cinnamon (½ tsp): Lends just the right amount of warmth and spice to the custard.
Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Infuses aromatic sweetness that makes every bite heavenly.
Salt (¼ tsp): Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Unsalted butter (4 tbsp, melted): Creates a beautiful golden crust and adds richness.
Light brown sugar or pure maple syrup (2 tbsp): Mixed with butter for a sweet cinnamon topping.
Ground cinnamon (½ tsp): Combined with the topping for that irresistible cinnamon crunch.

How to Make Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cube your day-old bread evenly and spread it in the baking dish, creating a base that will soak up every bit of the custard mixture. This makes the texture perfect — soft inside with a slight crisp on top.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup (or brown sugar), cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. This silky custard is what transforms simple bread into a luscious breakfast treat. Pour it evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring every piece is well coated — this is the secret to that tender, melt-in-your-mouth result.

Step 3: Add the Topping

Mix melted butter with brown sugar (or maple syrup) and cinnamon in a small bowl to create a sweet, buttery drizzle. Pour this over the soaked bread—it will caramelize beautifully in the oven, forming a golden, slightly crisp topping that contrasts perfectly with the soft custard below.

Step 4: Let It Soak

Cover your casserole with foil and refrigerate it for at least 20 minutes. If you can plan ahead, letting it sit overnight enhances the flavors and texture dramatically, allowing the bread to absorb all that rich custard.

Step 5: Bake Covered

Pop the casserole into your preheated oven, keeping it covered with foil for 35 minutes. This step gently cooks the custard without drying it out, ensuring everything sets nicely.

Step 6: Finish Baking Uncovered

Remove the foil and bake for another 10-20 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the custard is firmly set. This final step adds that irresistible crispness and color that makes this Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe truly shine.

How to Serve Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

A dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of warm maple syrup, or a handful of fresh berries add brightness and fresh flavors that brighten every bite. Whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped nuts can also add delightful texture and richness.

Side Dishes

Serve this casserole alongside crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or a fresh fruit salad for a well-rounded and satisfying brunch. The savory sides balance the sweetness perfectly, creating a meal everyone will enjoy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, bake the casserole in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets. Layering it with sliced fruit like bananas or apples before baking adds a surprise element of flavor and color. You can even sprinkle some toasted coconut or chocolate chips on top for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover baked French toast casserole keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it a fantastic next-day breakfast or snack. The flavors often deepen when rested overnight.

Freezing

You can freeze portions of this casserole before baking by assembling it in freezer-safe dishes and wrapping tightly. When ready, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. This makes holiday mornings or busy days so much easier.

Reheating

To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 325°F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Covering with foil helps keep it moist, but removing the foil towards the end will refresh the topping’s crispness.

FAQs

Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread?

Using fresh bread is possible, but day-old bread is ideal because it soaks up the custard without turning too soggy, giving your casserole a better texture.

What is the best type of bread for this recipe?

Brioche, challah, French bread, or ciabatta are all excellent choices. They have sturdy textures and rich flavors that hold together well during soaking and baking.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the milk with almond, soy, or oat milk and use dairy-free butter alternatives to keep the creamy texture and beautiful topping.

How long can I refrigerate the casserole before baking?

You can refrigerate it for at least 20 minutes up to overnight. The longer soaking time enhances flavor and custard absorption, making it even more delicious.

Is it okay to use brown sugar instead of maple syrup?

Yes! Brown sugar works wonderfully in this recipe. It adds a deep caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon and vanilla.

Final Thoughts

This Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe is one of those magical dishes that feels like a celebration every time you make it. Its comforting layers of soft, custardy bread and crisp, buttery topping are simply irresistible. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a leisurely breakfast, this recipe is sure to become a beloved staple. Don’t wait—grab your loaf of bread and start creating cozy, delicious mornings filled with joy!

Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.1 from 158 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

This Baked French Toast Casserole is a comforting and delicious breakfast or brunch dish featuring day-old bread soaked in a rich, cinnamon-spiced custard, baked to golden perfection with a sweet buttery topping. It’s ideal for serving a crowd and can be prepared the night before for effortless morning baking.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 loaf of day-old French bread, whole wheat, brioche, challah, or ciabatta
6 large eggs
2 ¼ cups milk (whole milk preferred)
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or light brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

Topping

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons light brown sugar or pure maple syrup
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cut the day-old bread into cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared dish.
Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup or brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined. Pour this custard evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces soak up the mixture.
Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with brown sugar or maple syrup and cinnamon. Drizzle this sweet buttery mixture evenly over the custard-soaked bread in the baking dish.
Soak the bread: Cover the baking dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow the bread to thoroughly absorb the custard flavors. For best flavor and texture, refrigerate overnight.
Bake covered: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and keep the oven temperature at 350°F. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes to cook through and set the custard.
Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set and slightly firm to the touch.

Notes

Using day-old bread helps the custard soak in without becoming too mushy.
For a richer flavor, brioche or challah breads are excellent choices.
You can prepare the casserole the night before and bake it fresh in the morning for convenience.
Optional toppings such as fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or maple syrup can be added after baking for extra sweetness.
Adjust the sweetness in the custard and topping to your preference by varying the amount of maple syrup or brown sugar.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American