When life gets hectic, having a reliable French Toast Bake recipe ready to go is a serious win. I remember one particularly jam-packed week when my usual breakfast shuffle left me scrambling every morning. That’s when I landed on this French Toast Bake recipe as my secret weapon for organized meal planning. Instead of rushing to whip up breakfast daily, I prepared this overnight French toast casserole in advance. It saved me nearly 30 minutes each morning and spared me from the usual chaos.
Planning this sweet breakfast casserole ahead perfectly suited my schedule, because it required just a bit of effort the night before and delivered warm, satisfying meals all week long. The French Toast Bake recipe itself is straightforward, combining the richness of eggs and milk with custardy bread and a hint of cinnamon that feels like a treat without the usual fuss. Plus, its make-ahead nature means less stress and more calm in busy kitchens.
French Toast Bake Recipe Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delightful French Toast Bake recipe come together:
- Thick sliced bread: stale or day-old bread works best to soak the custard
- Eggs: the binding base that makes it custardy
- Milk: whole milk or cream for richness
- Cinnamon: a warming spice to add flavor
- Sugar: to add sweetness
- Vanilla extract: for enhanced aroma
- Butter: to dot on top before baking
Steps to Make This Breakfast Casserole
This French Toast Bake recipe is easy to prepare the night before for a stress-free morning. Simply whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, then soak the bread cubes thoroughly. Arrange them in a buttered casserole dish, pour the custard mixture over top, and chill overnight. In the morning, dot some butter on top and bake until golden and puffed.
This baked French toast recipe isn’t just for weekends. I’ve incorporated it into my weekday meal rotation, pairing it with other batch-prepped dishes like the savory Japanese Katsu Bowls recipe that offers variety with minimal fuss.
If you want more inspiration for sweet casseroles, the Hidden Heart Chocolate Loaf Cake is a delightful option. Together with the homemade green bean casserole, these recipes can round out a well-planned week of meals with ease and flavor.
Your next organized meal planning win could start today with this French Toast Bake recipe that saves you time every morning while serving up comfort and taste.
French Toast Bake recipe
This French Toast Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast casserole featuring custardy bread soaked in a rich egg mixture and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for busy mornings or brunch gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 65 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 cups day-old bread, cubed (such as brioche or French bread)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for topping)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for topping)
- Butter or non-stick spray (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Place the cubed bread in the prepared baking dish evenly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, gently pressing down to ensure the bread soaks up the custard.
- Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Before baking, sprinkle the top with brown sugar and chopped nuts if using.
- Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set in the center.
- Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, drizzle with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
For a richer flavor, try adding a splash of rum or orange liqueur to the custard mixture or serve with fresh berries for added freshness.