Description
Overnight French Toast Casserole brings pure breakfast comfort right to your table, turning lazy mornings into delicious celebrations. Crusty bread soaked in rich custard bakes into a warm, golden morning treat perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf bread
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Coat your 9×13 inch baking dish generously with cooking spray to prevent any sticking.
- Distribute 1 loaf of bread, precisely cubed, evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk 6 large eggs thoroughly until they become smooth and slightly frothy.
- Add 2 cups milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt to the eggs.
- Blend the liquid ingredients until they are completely combined and create a uniform mixture.
- Carefully pour the entire egg mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring every piece gets saturated.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for a complete overnight rest.
- Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to reduce temperature shock.
- Preheat your oven precisely to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned in the middle.
- Uncover the casserole and slide it into the preheated oven.
- Bake uncovered for exactly 45-50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center appears set.
- Pull the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to stabilize.
- Drizzle ¼ cup maple syrup across the surface just before serving warm.
Notes
- Stale or day-old bread works best, creating a more absorbent and rich texture in the casserole.
- Prepare the casserole the night before to allow bread to soak up all the delicious custard mixture thoroughly.
- For a crispy top, sprinkle some additional cinnamon and a handful of chopped pecans before baking to add crunch and depth of flavor.
- Dairy-free versions can be made by substituting milk with almond or oat milk, and cream with coconut cream for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 359 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg