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Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole

French toast casserole is a wonderful buttery breakfast treat covered with a sweet praline pecan topping and all with the comforts of cinnamon and nutmeg.

This is not your traditional French toast, and after one bite of this wonderful recipe, everyone will be begging for more.

The Perfect Breakfast

Pouring maple syrup over French toast casserole.

But, who’s kidding? It’s not only the perfect breakfast, it’s perfect for weekend breakfasts, and pretty much an anytime meal. It’s definitely my favorite thing to eat in the mornings.

You can make it for Mother’s Day (she will love you), Christmas morning (we did that last year and everyone loved it), or even on busy mornings. It’s a favorite way to get moving.

A Sweet French Toast Breakfast

My friend Beth, who is an absolutely fantastic cook, shared this recipe with me, and boy am I thankful.

I had a hard time putting down my fork after taking a bite. I can safely say this is the best French toast I’ve ever eaten.

Beth serves the sweet French toast breakfast dessert around the holidays and it’s a breakfast you won’t soon forget. And, we love those memorable holiday breakfasts.

French toast casserole with pecans on a red plate.

Overnight French Toast Casserole

The overnight French toast casserole is the perfect addition to any holiday morning (who are we kidding? I would eat it every day if I could), and it’s an easy recipe, as well.

I made the recipe in the evening, refrigerated it overnight, and pulled it out the next morning to get it ready and into the oven.

During November and December, I’ve shared quite a few recipes and Beth has contributed several–and they are all delish!

She always amazes me with her willingness to help others and her love of cooking. And, that girl can cook!

French toast casserole on a red plate.

What Ingredients Do I Need For The Easy French Toast Casserole?

  • French bread
  • Whole eggs
  • Half and half
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Salt
  • Chopped pecans
  • Butter
  • Light brown sugar
  • Light corn syrup

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

How Do You Make The Baked French Toast Casserole?

  1. Slice French bread into one-inch slices and place them into a 9″ x 13″ greased baking dish. Overlap each piece when adding to the dish.
  2. In a large bowl, add the eggs and beat.
  3. Next, add the half and half, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and mix well.
  4. Pour the mixture over the French bread. Lift each piece and spoon the wet mixture over the bread, making sure to cover all of it.
  5. Cover with tin foil and place in the refrigerator overnight.
  6. The following morning, grab a medium-sized bowl and add the softened butter.
  7. Next, add the brown sugar and corn syrup and cream together.
  8. Add the pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well.
  9. Spread over the French bread and bake approximately 45 minutes or until the French bread is golden brown.

Some readers like to see the step-by-step instructions, so be sure to follow along if you’d like to.

Step-By-Step Instructions

French bread sliced into one-inch pieces in a casserole dish.

Start by slicing the loaf of French bread into one-inch slices and place them into a greased casserole dish.

What Kind Of Bread Is Best?

PRO TIP: Beth suggested getting the French bread at Costco or Walmart because it tends to be a little denser and won’t soak up quite as much of the egg mixture. It’s the best bread to choose for this recipe.

You can slice it and add it to the casserole dish like I did, or cut it up and use bread cubes.

You can use sourdough bread or Challah bread if you’d like to, they will just taste a little bit different.

Pouring half and half into a bowl with eggs.

Next, add the eggs to a large bowl. Whisk the eggs. Pour the half and half into the bowl and mix well.

Whole milk, heavy cream, or two-percent will work just as well.

Pouring granulated sugar into a bowl with half and half and eggs.

Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl.

Ground cinnamon and nutmeg in a small glass bowl.

Now, add the cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well.

French toast casserole in a baking dish with an egg mixture over the top.

Pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread. Lift the bread and spoon the mixture between each piece.

Cover with tin foil and place in the refrigerator overnight.

This next day French bread is so worth the wait. And, you won’t have to do as much work in the morning.

Praline Topping

Softened butter and brown sugar in a glass bowl.

When you get up the next morning, grab a medium bowl, and add the softened butter, light corn syrup, and brown sugar and cream together.

If you want to add a little bit of zing, you can add some orange zest to the mixture.

Butter, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.

Add the chopped pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and mix well.

French bread covered in a butter mixture.

Finally, spread the butter mixture over the French toast and bake for 45 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and toasty.

As soon as it’s done baking, it’s ready to serve.

French toast casserole baked in a casserole dish with pecans on top.

I’m tellin’ ya, this is one of the best breakfast dishes I’ve ever eaten. You will want to make this part of your holiday traditions.

Pouring maple syrup over the top of the French toast casserole.

Top with some maple syrup and you’ve got one decadent breakfast bake. But, be sure to make plenty, because people will be asking for seconds.

We took a trip to Vermont this year and discovered a maple tree farm that makes pure maple syrup. And, a drizzle of maple syrup on your French toast is good stuff.

Here’s the machine that uses reverse osmosis to make purse maple syrup. And, it is delish. And the best part? No added sugar at all.

Sugarbush Farm is a fun place to visit.

Your local grocery store should have some other brands to choose from, as well.

Overnight French toast casserole on a red plate.

Other holiday treats you’ll love:

  • Pecan pie cheesecake bars are another delicious dessert that is perfect for the holidays.
  • Praline pecans are easy to make and are on the top of everyone’s wish list.
  • Pecan cinnamon roll recipe is another great addition to any breakfast. Plus, there’s no waiting around for dough to rise in this simple recipe.
  • How can you go wrong with pecan pie brownies? You can’t. They. Are. Awesome.
  • Pecan pie is one of those desserts that is a must at every family holiday gathering. This is my dad’s go-to recipe.
  • If you’re looking for another overnight breakfast casserole hashbrowns, sausage, and eggs, from Pillsbury, will do the trick. And, if you’re on the hunt for more breakfast recipes, besides this easy baked French toast casserole, you can find plenty at Taste of Home.

French Toast Casserole Recipe

French toast casserole is a delicious and easy breakfast dish that will have your family begging for more.

The best part is, it’s incredibly simple to make and will become a family favorite.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for an easy weekday breakfast, this recipe is sure to please. You don’t need to wait for Sunday morning, get the recipe now!

Overnight French toast casserole on a red plate.

French Toast Casserole Recipe

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Additional Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 5 minutes

French toast casserole is a wonderful buttery treat covered with a sweet praline pecan topping, all with the comforts of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Ingredients

French Toast

  • 1 large French bread loaf
  • 8 eggs
  • 2 cups of half and half
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Praline Topping

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • Maple syrup for pouring on top

Instructions

French Toast

  1. Slice the French bread on the bias and place it into a 9" x 13" greased casserole dish, making sure each piece overlaps the other.
  2. In a large bowl, add the eggs and beat them.
  3. Next, add the half and half, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and mix.
  4. Pour over the French bread. Lift each piece and spoon the mixture over the bread, making sure to cover it all.
  5. Cover with tin foil and place in the refrigerator overnight.

Praline Topping
In the morning, remove the tin foil and preheat the oven to 350-degrees.

  1. Add the softened butter to a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Next, add the corn syrup and brown sugar and cream together.
  3. Add the chopped pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix.
  4. Spread the topping over the French bread and bake for 45 minutes at 350-degrees or until the top is golden brown.
  5. Top with maple syrup.

Notes

I made the French toast in the evening, refrigerated it all night, and pulled it out the next morning to complete the recipe with the praline topping, and bake it.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 591Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 268mgSodium: 365mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 11g

Nutrition is approximate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Tuesday 16th of November 2021

[…] French toast casserole […]

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Wednesday 10th of November 2021

[…] French toast casserole is one amazingly delicious breakfast you will want to make again and again. […]

Miz Helen

Thursday 3rd of June 2021

Your French Toast Casserole looks delicious and we are featuring it on Full Plate Thursday, 539 this week. Thanks so much for sharing it with us and hope you will come back soon! Miz Helen

Julie Pollitt

Thursday 3rd of June 2021

Thank you!

george

Thursday 21st of January 2021

Very similar to a bread pudding recipe I make. Has got to be goooood!

Julie Pollitt

Saturday 23rd of January 2021

I love bread pudding!

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Tuesday 24th of November 2020

[…] If you love pecans, try this slow cooker pecan pie recipe, or this French toast casserole. […]

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