Can I use regular sandwich bread for this casserole?

While artisan breads like sourdough or brioche create the best texture, you can absolutely use sandwich bread in a pinch. You might need a bit more bread since sandwich slices are thinner, and the final texture will be softer overall. It's a great way to use up bread that's about to go stale!

My casserole seems too soggy in the middle. What went wrong?

The most common culprit is either not baking it long enough or having too much custard for the amount of bread. For your next attempt, try adding more bread cubes or baking for an additional 10-15 minutes with foil loosely covering the top if it's getting too brown. Remember that it will continue to set as it cools!

Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the milk and cream with your favorite non-dairy alternatives (almond, coconut, or oat milk work well), and use a plant-based butter for the topping. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

Is there a way to make individual portions rather than one large casserole?

Yes! Divide the bread cubes among ramekins or a muffin tin, pour the custard over them, and adjust the baking time to about 25-30 minutes for smaller portions. This makes serving even easier and creates more of those coveted crispy edges everyone fights over!

French Toast Casserole Recipe

Name: French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 5 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf sourdough bread (or brioche, challah or French bread); 8 large eggs; 2 cups milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup sugar; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

This French Toast Casserole transforms ordinary breakfast into something extraordinary – with minimal effort on your part! The perfect blend of custardy bread, sweet cinnamon sugar topping, and warm comforting flavors that will make your kitchen smell like heaven. Best of all, you prepare it the night before, so all you need to do in the morning is pop it in the oven while you enjoy your coffee!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this the night before and wake up to an almost-ready breakfast. Perfect for busy mornings or when hosting guests!
Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone from kids to grandparents will devour this – it’s like having dessert for breakfast, but in a socially acceptable way.
Adaptable: Works beautifully with whatever bread you have on hand, and you can customize with different mix-ins depending on your mood.
Impressive with Zero Morning Effort: Looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, when really you’re just reaping the rewards of your minimal prep from the night before.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Bread: Sourdough gives a slight tanginess that balances the sweetness perfectly, but brioche, challah, or French bread work wonderfully too. Day-old bread is actually better here – slightly stale bread absorbs the custard without getting mushy.
Eggs: The foundation of our custard, creating that rich, classic French toast texture we all love.
Milk and Heavy Cream: This dynamic duo creates the perfect custard base – the milk provides volume while the cream adds undeniable richness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile – don’t even think about skipping it!
Sugar: Sweetens the custard just enough without making it cloying.
Flour: Creates structure in our crumbly topping.
Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness and slight chew to the topping.
Cinnamon: The quintessential French toast spice that makes everything feel cozy and warm.
Salt: Just a touch to balance all the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
Butter: Cold butter cut into the topping mixture creates those irresistible crumbly bits that get golden and crisp in the oven.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Sweet Additions

Fruit Fanatic: Fold in blueberries for bursts of juicy sweetness, or layer in thinly sliced apples tossed with extra cinnamon
Citrus Bright: Add orange zest to the custard for a refreshing twist
Tropical Vacation: Include sliced pineapple or apricots for an unexpected but delicious flavor combination
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans into the topping for texture contrast

Savory Versions

Breakfast Classic: Layer in cooked sausage or crumbled bacon before pouring the custard
Deli Delight: Add diced ham and shredded cheese for a sweet-and-savory combo
Southwestern: Mix in chorizo and green chilies for a spicy kick

How to Make French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. This size gives you the perfect ratio of crispy top pieces to custardy bottom pieces.

Step 2: Mix the Custard

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all pieces get some custard love. Press down gently to help the bread start absorbing the liquid.

Step 3: Rest and Absorb

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This resting time is non-negotiable – it allows the bread to soak up all that delicious custard.

Step 4: Prepare the Topping

In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter pieces using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store this topping in a sealed bag in the refrigerator overnight alongside your casserole.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

When morning comes, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap from your casserole and sprinkle the cold topping evenly over the soaked bread. Bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes, depending on your texture preference – less time for a softer, more bread pudding-like center, more time for a firmer set.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

The Bread Matters: Slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard without falling apart. If your bread is fresh, cube it and leave it out for a few hours to dry slightly.
Even Distribution: When pouring the custard, make sure to get it between all the bread pieces, not just on top. I sometimes use a spoon to drizzle it into any dry-looking areas.
Topping Technique: Keep the topping ingredients cold until ready to use – this ensures you get those perfect buttery crumbles rather than a paste.
Doneness Test: The casserole is done when the center is set but still has a slight jiggle – it will continue to firm up as it cools.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a dollop of whipped cream. Fresh berries on the side add a bright contrast to the rich casserole.

Complete Your Breakfast Spread

Balance the sweetness with savory sides like crispy bacon or breakfast sausage. A simple fruit salad makes the perfect fresh counterpoint.

Beverage Buddies

Coffee, tea, or mimosas all make excellent companions to this decadent breakfast treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Preparing in Advance

You can prepare this casserole up to 24 hours before baking. The longer it soaks, the more custard-like the final texture will be.

Freezing Instructions

Prepare through step 4, but keep the topping separate in its own freezer bag. Wrap the unbaked casserole dish in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding the topping and baking.

Storing Leftovers

Cover leftover casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Individual portions reheat beautifully in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Reheating Tips

To reheat the entire casserole, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want to re-crisp the topping.

FAQs

Can I use regular sandwich bread for this casserole?

While artisan breads like sourdough or brioche create the best texture, you can absolutely use sandwich bread in a pinch. You might need a bit more bread since sandwich slices are thinner, and the final texture will be softer overall. It’s a great way to use up bread that’s about to go stale!
My casserole seems too soggy in the middle. What went wrong?

The most common culprit is either not baking it long enough or having too much custard for the amount of bread. For your next attempt, try adding more bread cubes or baking for an additional 10-15 minutes with foil loosely covering the top if it’s getting too brown. Remember that it will continue to set as it cools!
Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the milk and cream with your favorite non-dairy alternatives (almond, coconut, or oat milk work well), and use a plant-based butter for the topping. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Is there a way to make individual portions rather than one large casserole?

Yes! Divide the bread cubes among ramekins or a muffin tin, pour the custard over them, and adjust the baking time to about 25-30 minutes for smaller portions. This makes serving even easier and creates more of those coveted crispy edges everyone fights over!

Final Thoughts

This French Toast Casserole has saved countless of my weekend mornings and holiday breakfasts. There’s something magical about waking up knowing that an incredible breakfast is practically ready to go. With just a bit of planning the night before, you’re rewarded with a breakfast that feels special but requires minimal morning effort. Whether for a lazy Sunday, holiday gathering, or just because you deserve a treat, give this recipe a try—I promise it will become a regular in your breakfast rotation!