5-Ingredient Overnight French Toast Casserole
This overnight French toast casserole recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy mornings or stress-free brunches. You simply assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning for a delicious, crowd-pleasing breakfast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes (includes overnight chilling)
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf (16 ounce) challah or brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Butter, for greasing
- Optional toppings: maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
- Spread the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to ensure all pieces are soaked.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed up, golden brown, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Using day-old bread works best as it absorbs the custard mixture more effectively.
- You can customize this casserole with additions like fresh fruit (berries, sliced bananas) or chocolate chips mixed in before refrigerating.
- For a crispier top, you can sprinkle a little extra brown sugar and cinnamon over the casserole before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/10th of casserole)
- Calories: 350-400 kcal (estimate, will vary based on ingredients and toppings)
- Sugar: 20-25g (estimate)
- Sodium: 300-400mg (estimate)
- Fat: 15-20g (estimate)
- Saturated Fat: 7-10g (estimate)
- Unsaturated Fat: 8-10g (estimate)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g (estimate)
- Fiber: 2-3g (estimate)
- Protein: 12-15g (estimate)
- Cholesterol: 150-200mg (estimate)
