If you’re on the hunt for a comforting breakfast that feels extra special but is surprisingly simple to make, I’ve got you covered with this Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself and your loved ones to something warm, cozy, and downright delicious — without waking up hours earlier or flipping pancakes all morning. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to brunch favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ease & Convenience: Prep ahead and pop it in the oven — no stressful morning cooking frenzy.
- Perfect Texture: Crispy edges meet soft, custardy centers for the ideal bite every time.
- Customizable: You can easily add fruits, nuts, or different spices to suit your taste buds.
- Feeds a Crowd: The casserole format means you can serve a big family or impress guests with minimal fuss.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When you’re making this baked French toast casserole recipe, each ingredient plays a starring role. The custardy mix soaks into the bread, creating that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while spices like cinnamon add warmth and depth. Using a soft French bread is key — it’s sturdy enough to hold the custard but soft enough to absorb all that flavor.
- Butter: Important for greasing the baking dish to prevent sticking and add a subtle richness.
- Eggs: The foundation of your custard, binding everything together while giving structure.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds that cozy, classic French toast flavor — don’t skimp!
- Milk & Heavy cream: Together they make the custard silky and creamy, helping the bread soak up the right amount without going soggy.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens just enough to balance the richness; you can adjust this to your liking.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with a lovely sweet aroma that makes the whole kitchen smell like heaven.
- Soft French bread: The star! Slightly stale or day-old bread works best because it absorbs the custard without falling apart.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite parts about this Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often swap in different spices or toss in fresh fruit to add a little twist depending on the season or my mood.
- Variation: I’ve added chopped apples and a sprinkle of nutmeg once, which gave it a warm, autumn vibe that everyone loved.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use almond or oat milk and a vegan buttery spread to make this dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the French bread for a gluten-free loaf — just keep in mind it may soak up custard differently, so watch your soak time.
- Make It Sweeter or Savory: Feel free to reduce the sugar and cinnamon if you want a more savory edge — maybe a sprinkle of cheese and herbs to flip it on its head!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a nice 13×9 baking dish. I like to brush it generously with melted butter to ensure that the casserole doesn’t stick and to add extra flavor around the edges. This simple step makes cleanup way easier — trust me, it’s worth it!
Step 2: Whisk Your Custard Mix
In a shallow dish (I use a pie plate or wide bowl), whisk together your eggs with the ground cinnamon until it’s smooth and all blended. Then pour in the milk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract, whisking until everything is nice and uniform. The cinnamon can sometimes clump up, so vigorous whisking prevents any unwanted streaks.
Step 3: Dip the French Bread Slices
Here’s where the magic happens: Dip each slice of French bread into your custard mix. Don’t just dunk and go — let it soak almost all the way through, like a sponge. I gently press and squeeze the bread to make sure it absorbs enough liquid without falling apart. It’s that balance that ensures each bite is custardy inside but still holds its shape.
Step 4: Layer and Align in the Baking Dish
Once dipped, place each slice neatly in rows inside your buttered dish. Repeat dipping and arranging until all your bread is used up. This step is super satisfying — you’ll see the casserole starting to take shape!
Step 5: Bake Until Perfectly Set
Bake your casserole uncovered for about 40 to 45 minutes. You want it set, not soggy, with a lightly golden top. Depending on your oven, you may want to tent it loosely with foil in the last 10–15 minutes if the top is browning too fast — ovens can be tricky! Let it cool slightly before slicing into squares.
Pro Tips for Making Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Use Slightly Stale Bread: Day-old French bread soaks up custard best without falling apart.
- Don’t Over-Soak: Press the bread like a sponge to absorb enough custard but avoid sogginess.
- Watch the Oven Browning: Tent with foil if the top crisps too fast while baking.
- Cut After Cooling: Let the casserole cool slightly before slicing to keep the squares intact.
How to Serve Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I love to top mine with a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar. Fresh berries or a handful of toasted pecans are also fantastic for adding texture and a pop of color. Sometimes I’ll add a dollop of whipped cream or a little dollop of yogurt for a creamy tang that balances the sweetness.
Side Dishes
Pair the casserole with crispy bacon or your favorite breakfast sausage for contrast. A fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad with a citrus vinaigrette is a refreshing counterpoint to the richness. Sometimes I toss a quick mixed greens salad to lighten things up, especially if I’m serving brunch guests.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve set up this casserole in a rustic cast-iron skillet for a cozy feel during holiday mornings, letting each guest scoop their own portion. For birthdays, I sometimes dust the top with cinnamon sugar before baking for a glistening crust. And if you want to go really fancy, layering with sliced bananas or strawberries between bread slices before baking adds a nice surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover casserole covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge, and it usually lasts 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully, so no need to worry if you have extras!
Freezing
Freezing works well too. I usually portion it into single servings, wrap in foil or freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. When I’m ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring those leftovers back to life, I pop them in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, uncovered, to regain the crusty edges. Microwave works in a pinch, but you lose some of that lovely texture.
FAQs
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Can I prepare the Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe the night before?
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for overnight prepping. After dipping and arranging the bread slices, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply pop it straight into the oven — just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it’s cold.
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What’s the best bread to use for baked French toast casserole?
Soft French bread works wonderfully because it soaks up the custard well without falling apart. Slightly stale or day-old bread is even better than fresh because it absorbs the custard perfectly. Avoid very dense or crusty breads that won’t absorb enough.
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Can I add fruit or nuts to this baked French toast casserole recipe?
For sure! Fresh berries, sliced apples, or chopped nuts folded between layers or sprinkled on top before baking add wonderful texture and flavor. Just be careful not to overload the casserole to keep the custard from getting soggy.
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How do I prevent sogginess in the casserole?
Don’t over-soak the bread. Let it absorb enough custard to be moist but not dripping. Also, baking it uncovered helps the top crisp up while cooking the inside perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe holds a soft spot in my kitchen because it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug — simple, comforting, and a little bit indulgent. Whether you’re waking up to guests or just craving a cozy breakfast, it delivers every time. Give it a try and see how it becomes your new weekend ritual (or holiday brunch hero!). I promise, you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again.
PrintBaked French Toast Casserole Recipe
This classic baked French toast recipe transforms soft French bread into a rich, custardy breakfast treat. Soaked in a flavorful mixture of eggs, cinnamon, milk, cream, and vanilla, then baked until golden and set, it offers a perfect balance of creamy texture and warm spices, ideal for a comforting morning meal or brunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Custard Mixture
- 7 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Toast
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
- 1 1/2 loaves (24 oz) soft French bread, cut into 3/4-inch slices
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush a 13-by-9-inch baking dish evenly with melted butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Make the Custard Mixture: In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs vigorously with ground cinnamon until fully combined. Pour in milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract, then whisk thoroughly until the mixture is uniform and well blended.
- Soak the Bread Slices: Dip each slice of French bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak briefly until nearly saturated. It helps to gently squeeze the slice to let the custard penetrate the center, then gently press out some excess to avoid sogginess.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the soaked bread slices neatly in rows in the prepared baking dish. Repeat the soaking and arranging process until all slices are used, ensuring they are evenly aligned for uniform baking.
- Bake the French Toast: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for approximately 40 to 45 minutes. The French toast should be cooked through and set without sogginess. If the top begins to brown too much during the last 10 to 15 minutes, tent with foil to prevent burning.
- Serve: Allow the baked French toast to cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve warm with maple syrup or your favorite toppings such as fresh berries, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.
Notes
- Using soft French bread is key—it absorbs the custard well and results in a tender texture.
- Adjust soaking time slightly depending on bread freshness; very fresh bread may need less soaking.
- Tenting with foil prevents over-browning while ensuring the interior cooks fully.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven or toaster oven for best texture.
- Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or orange zest to the custard for extra flavor variety.
