Amazing overnight french toast, 8 servings

If the thought of a big weekend brunch feels like it requires an hour of frantic flipping and flipping on the stovetop, I totally get it. That used to be me! I found incredible peace in the kitchen when I learned how to plan ahead, and this overnight french toast is the ultimate example of that joy—it swaps morning stress for sweet aromas. For more about my journey escaping the corporate rush and finding happiness in simple cooking, you can always check out my story on the About page.

This recipe transforms classic, decadent French toast into an easy, make-ahead casserole. You do the work when you have time, usually while cleaning up dinner, and wake up to the promise of a perfectly baked, soul-satisfying breakfast. For me, creating something this delicious without the morning rush is pure cooking joy, allowing everyone to sit down together and actually enjoy the moment.

Why You Will Love This Make Ahead Breakfast (Prep Ahead Breakfast)

Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this? It checks every box for an easy brunch recipe that turns into a stress free morning meal. You’re doing the real work when you’re relaxed the night before, transforming this into a true prep ahead breakfast.

• It guarantees that incredible, soft, custardy french toast texture everyone craves.
• It’s hands-down the best holiday morning breakfast solution—no standing over a griddle!
• It’s a perfect crowd pleasing breakfast since the overnight breakfast bake yields eight generous servings.

If you hate the morning rush, this is your secret weapon for an impressive breakfast idea. You can find more quick ideas for planning your meals over on my staples page for weeknight dinners, too!

Ingredients for the Perfect Overnight French Toast Casserole

Okay, the ingredients list looks simple enough, right? But trust me, the quality and type of bread you choose makes all the difference in this custardy french toast masterpiece. If you can swing it, grab a thick-cut loaf—I’m talking brioche or challah. Their rich, buttery texture soaks up that custard beautifully and gives you that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth result. I wrote a whole post about why I love using brioche for breakfast recipes; it truly elevates things!

You’ll need a few staple items for the custard, plus a little something special to make that topping golden and cozy. Here’s exactly what you need to gather the night before:

• 1 loaf (about 1 pound) thick-cut bread, such as brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (for topping)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (for topping)

See? Just pantry basics elevated by that fantastic bread choice. Get these together, and you’re halfway to a fantastic weekend morning meal!

Equipment Needed for Your Overnight Breakfast Bake

Since this is a prep ahead breakfast, you mostly just need things to hold stuff in! Don’t worry about pulling out a million fancy gadgets. You definitely need a sturdy 9×13 inch baking dish—that’s where the magic happens. Also, grab a large mixing bowl for easily creating that delicious custard base. Oh, and a trusty whisk is a must to make sure those eggs and spices blend perfectly. Finally, make sure you have tight plastic wrap; we need to seal in that moisture overnight!

How to Prepare Your Overnight French Toast for a Stress Free Morning Meal

This is where the magic truly happens. Since we’re aiming for that unbelievably soft, custardy french toast texture, patience during the soaking step is non-negotiable. You’re essentially transforming dry bread into something rich and tender over several hours while you sleep! I always make sure to assemble this right after dinner. It’s such a peaceful ritual knowing I’ve already handled breakfast obligations for the next day. I like to give my dish a little gentle shake once the custard is poured over, just to encourage every bread cube to get coated. This preparation is similar to how I set up my cinnamon sugar french toast muffins, where soaking is key!

Step 1: Preparing the Bread Base

First things first, we need a home for our beautiful casserole! Generously grease that 9×13 inch baking dish—don’t skip this, even if you think you won’t need it. Then, toss those bread cubes you cut up earlier right inside. Make sure they’re spread out as evenly as possible across the bottom of the pan. We want consistent baking later on, so try to avoid big mountains of bread in one corner!

Step 2: Creating the Custard and Soaking the Bread for Overnight French Toast

Time to whisk! In that large bowl, combine all your wet ingredients—the six eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, maple syrup, and all those lovely spices we talked about. Whisk until everything is completely uniform. Now, pour this gorgeous egg mixture slowly and evenly over the waiting bread cubes. Go back and press down gently on any dry spots you see sticking up above the liquid line. This is crucial for that perfect soak! Once it’s all saturated, cover that dish TIGHTLY with plastic wrap. Then, pop it into the fridge for at least four hours, but honestly, overnight is what we’re aiming for here.

Step 3: Topping and Baking the French Toast Casserole

When the morning comes, pull the dish out of the fridge while the oven preheats to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, quickly mix your melted butter and brown sugar in a little cup until it looks crumbly. Sprinkle this topping right over the soaked bread. Bake this wonderful French Toast Casserole for about 45 to 55 minutes. You know it’s done when it’s deeply golden and puffed up, and if you poke the center, no liquid egg mixture runs out. Seriously, let it rest for 10 minutes before you cut into it; it sets up better. For more make-ahead baking tips, check out my guide on baked french toast casserole.

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Tips for Success with Your Overnight Baked Goods

I’ve learned a few things over the years trying to perfect this make ahead breakfast that I have to share, just to save you any potential heartache! First off, forget buying fresh bread for this. Day-old or slightly stale bread is actually your best friend here. It won’t turn to mush quite as fast as super soft, fresh bakery bread.

You already know I preach about brioche or challah, but if you use a denser bread, make sure you cut those cubes larger—maybe 1.5 inches, not sweet squares. Also, here’s a pro move for the edges: If your baking dish feels like it bakes unevenly, loosely tent a piece of foil over the dish for the first 30 minutes. This keeps the edges from getting too crisp while the middle finishes absorbing all that rich custard. It keeps the whole thing tender!

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For more insights into getting the perfect rise and crumb in your baked items, you can always dive into my general tips on baking bread here on the site. Good baking is all about paying attention to those little details!

Variations for Your Overnight French Toast Bake

I love that this overnight french toast recipe is a fantastic base because you can totally customize it depending on what you have or what mood you’re in. Want to add some fruity sweetness? Gently fold in a cup of fresh or frozen berries—I’m partial to blueberries or raspberries—right when you’re soaking the bread the night before.

For texture, toasting some pecans or walnuts first and sprinkling them over the top right before baking adds this wonderful crunch against the soft interior. I also love playing with the spice blend! Try adding a little bit of orange zest to the custard mix; it wakes everything up beautifully. If you’re feeling extra decadent, you can even transform this into something resembling my cinnamon roll french toast casserole by skipping the brown sugar topping and drenching it in a vanilla cream cheese glaze later!

Serving Suggestions for This Easy Brunch Recipe

This overnight french toast casserole is designed to be the star of the show, serving a generous eight people, making it ideal for an easy brunch recipe gathering! To really make it shine as a crowd pleasing breakfast, you need simple, fresh accompaniments. I always serve it with bowls of whipped cream and fresh berries—strawberries or raspberries look so pretty against the golden top.

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If you need something savory to balance all that sweetness, a side of crispy bacon or savory sausage always hits the spot with this comfort food breakfast. Check out my tips for hosting without the stress when you invite people over for meals like this one on my page about easy entertaining!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Overnight French Toast

The best part about making this as an overnight breakfast bake is that you usually have leftovers, even when serving a crowd! If you find yourself with extra slices, just let them cool completely. Store them tightly covered in the refrigerator—they keep really well for about three days. Seriously, this make ahead breakfast holds up!

When you’re ready to eat them the next day, avoid the microwave if you can; it tends to make them rubbery. I highly recommend reheating individual servings or the remaining casserole right in the oven set to 350°F until warmed through. If you need to freeze it, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and they should be good for about a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating!

Frequently Asked Questions About Overnight French Toast

It’s totally normal to have a few questions when you’re trying out a new prep ahead breakfast, especially one that requires planning like this French toast casserole! We want to make sure your weekend morning meal is perfect. I’ve gathered some of the common things people ask me over on my Facebook page—come say hi sometime at my Facebook page!

You’ll find that once you nail the soak time, this dish is foolproof. For tons of other quick tips and inspiration, feel free to browse the full archives on the Pure Cooking Joy blog!

Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of brioche for my overnight french toast?

You absolutely can use regular sandwich bread, but I have to give you a little warning! If you use standard, thin sandwich bread, you’ll lose some of that unbelievable signature fluffiness. The slice won’t hold as much custard, so what you get is technically baked french toast, but it won’t have that ultra-rich, custardy french toast vibe we are aiming for. It might turn out slightly drier, too, so be generous with the maple syrup!

How long is too long to let the French Toast Casserole soak?

This is a crucial question for a true overnight breakfast bake! I always recommend soaking for at least 8 hours, but no more than 12 to 18 hours maximum. If you let it sit for days, even tightly wrapped, the bread structure starts to break down completely. It turns from lovely cubes into sad, soggy mush because the gluten has just dissolved from sitting in the liquid for too long. Stick to the overnight window for the best results!

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What is the best way to reheat this baked french toast?

If you have leftovers (which means you cooked for a crowd!), always reheat in the oven. Place the slices or the remaining casserole dish in a 350°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. This warms it right through and actually helps crisp up the edges again, bringing back that just-out-of-the-oven delight. Microwaving works in a pinch, but be warned: it heats unevenly and can sometimes make the edges chewy!

Nutritional Estimates for Your Overnight Sweet Casserole

You know I keep things honest here at Pure Cooking Joy, and while incredible flavor is the main focus, sometimes we want to know what we’re eating! Please remember that these breakdown numbers are just estimates based on standard ingredient sizes for this simple overnight recipes casserole, yield notwithstanding. If you use extra heavy cream or add a ton of buttery topping, things change!

For a standard serving size according to this recipe, here’s what you’re looking at:

• Calories: 380
• Fat: 18g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Sugar: 28g

If you ever have questions about how ingredients affect the final count, you can always check out the full site disclaimer here. But honestly, for a weekend treat, these numbers look pretty great for a truly comfort food breakfast!

Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole for Stress-Free Mornings

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Prepare this rich, custardy French toast casserole the night before. Wake up to a simple bake that delivers impressive flavor for your weekend brunch or holiday morning.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 50 min
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 min (plus overnight chilling)
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Brunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 loaf (about 1 pound) thick-cut bread, such as brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (for topping)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. This creates your custard base.
3. Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to help the bread absorb the liquid.
4. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight (up to 12 hours). This step is key for a custardy French toast.
5. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap.
6. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar together until crumbly. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the soaked bread.
7. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed, golden brown on top, and the center is set (no liquid remains when poked).
8. Let the baked French toast casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle generously with maple syrup.

Notes

• Using brioche bread results in the softest, most custardy texture, making this a truly impressive breakfast idea.
• If you prefer a crispier top, you can add a streusel topping instead of the butter and brown sugar mixture.
• This recipe is excellent for a crowd-pleasing breakfast or holiday morning meal.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 180mg