Delicious, Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe

Delicious, Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe

Even though we’re all about tradition here at our house, I do like to try new recipes out over our holiday breaks from work and school, especially at breakfast time. It’s kind of like Christmas morning every morning in that way, having my three little ones wake to the smells of something yummy baking in the oven. 

They don’t know it yet but this year they’re going to be waking up to the cinnamon-sugar deliciousness of this French toast casserole recipe. It’s all the things they love about French toast wrapped up in one easy-to-make casserole dish. 

Texas toast — Sure, you can use any bread you want, but I think you’ll enjoy this French toast bake more if you have some thick bread to soak up all the egg batter overnight. 

Streusel — Guys, this cinnamon streusel takes French toast to the next level. It’s all warm and crumbly and buttery and…BRB I have to wipe some drool from my mouth just thinking about it. 

Overnight set — You really do need to let the bread soak up all the ingredients overnight or at the very least 4 hours for this cinnamon french toast casserole to truly work. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.

Leftovers — Unless you have a bunch of hungry breakfast monsters in your house like I do, you’ll probably be lucky enough to have some leftovers. And let me tell you, this is just as amazing the next morning! 

The best type of bread for this French toast casserole is a kind I find at the grocery called “Texas toast.” It’s basically just a white bread baked in a square shape and cut quite thick. The thick bread helps hold the egg mixture without getting too soggy.

If you can’t find Texas toast, any thick-sliced bread will do: From French bread to sourdough bread and from Italian to whole wheat. You’ll cut the thick slices into bread cubes before adding egg mixture and getting it read to bake.

Yes, you can prepare this French toast casserole ahead of time and freeze. I bake it uncooked. So prepare the casserole up through step 6. After it’s chilled in the fridge, seal it tight and put it in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When it’s time to bake, first thaw in the fridge overnight then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered, then take the cover off and put back in the oven to bake another 20-25 minutes or until the bread is cooked through.

If you prefer to be baking French toast casserole before freezing, just know that it will be pretty dry after you reheat it.  

Did you make this French Toast Casserole recipe? YAY! Please rate the recipe below!

Overnight French Toast Casserole: perfect Easter weekend recipe! https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/french-toast-casserole/

5 from 73 votes Print Pin Rate Prep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 45 minutesChill time: 4 hoursTotal Time: 5 hours Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

• ▢ 12 slices thick-cut white bread - often called "Texas toast"
• ▢ 2 cups fat free Half and Half - or whole milk
• ▢ 6 large eggs
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 3 tablespoons sugar
• ▢ syrup and powdered sugar for serving

Cinnamon Streusel

• ▢ 8 tablespoons butter - chilled and diced into small cubes
• ▢ ⅔ cup flour
• ▢ ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan/casserole dish.
• Cut bread slices into 1-inch cubes. Fill prepared pan with the bread cubes.
• In a large liquid measuring cup or bowl whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, and sugar.
• Slowly pour egg mixture over the bread cubes, making sure to get them all covered as much as possible so you don't have any dry bread showing. Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and set aside.
• In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut butter into flour mixture. Once mixture resembles coarse crumbs, smoosh it with your fingers to work the butter into the mixture a little more.
• Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate along with the casserole for at least 4 hours, or overnight. (See note)
• Preheat oven to 350. Remove plastic wrap from the casserole dish and cover with foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes, covered, then remove foil, sprinkle streusel mixture over the top, and bake for another 20-25 minutes until bread is cooked through to your liking (I like it baked through a little more and more "dry" throughout so I bake mine for 25-30 minutes).
• Drizzle with syrup, cut into squares, and serve!