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

Description

This French Toast Casserole is an easy make-ahead breakfast bake, featuring cubes of sourdough (or brioche/challah) drenched in a creamy vanilla custard and topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. Perfect for busy mornings or brunch occasions, it delivers classic French toast flavors with effortless prep and a rich, satisfying texture.

Ingredients

Units Scale

French Toast

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

Topping

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

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Instructions

Prepare the Bread: Cut the loaf of bread into 1-inch cubes and scatter evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring an even layer for best soaking.
Make the Custard: In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sugar until smooth. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all pieces are well coated.
Chill the Casserole: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This step allows the bread to fully absorb the custard.
Prepare the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces, cutting them in with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbles. Transfer the topping to a small resealable bag and refrigerate overnight.
Bake the Casserole: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the casserole and sprinkle the prepared topping evenly over the soaked bread.
Finish Baking: Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 45–60 minutes, depending on your preferred level of softness. The center should be set and the topping golden brown. Serve warm.

Notes

This casserole can be assembled and refrigerated overnight for convenience.
For freezing, prepare through step 4 and store the topping separately; or fully bake and freeze. Thaw overnight and reheat at 350°F as directed.
Make it savory by adding ham, cheese, sausage, bacon, green chilies, or chorizo.
Add sweetness and texture with sliced apples, orange zest, apricots, pineapple, blueberries, or chopped pecans.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 564 kcal
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 599mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 72g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 218mg