I still remember the first time I made a French Toast Casserole for my family. It was one of those hectic weekend mornings where the kitchen felt like a whirlwind and yet, the kids were starving and demanding something warm and comforting. I’d heard about this overnight French toast bake and thought, why not try it? I stumbled on a cozy recipe (similar to this lovely baked French toast recipe) that promised custard soaked bread bathed in cinnamon and vanilla.
That first batch was a total win. The kids dug in as if I’d whipped up magic, and my husband claimed it was “better than pancakes.” What surprised me most was how easy this baked French toast recipe was to throw together, even on a rushed morning. French Toast Casserole quickly became our go-to comfort breakfast. It’s like an easy breakfast casserole that brings the whole family to the table with smiles.
Since then, I’ve tweaked it to fit our tastes—adding a little extra cinnamon and sometimes throwing fresh berries atop. This French Toast Casserole is cozy and warming, perfect for those mornings where the chaos is loud but breakfast is calm. If you’re a fellow busy mom longing for simple comfort food that nourishes and satisfies, stay with me. I’ll share how to make this your family’s staple too! Don’t forget to peek at this easy French toast casserole version for more inspiration.

Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s what you’ll gather for your next French Toast Casserole—nothing fancy, just comfort in every bite!
- 8 cups of cubed day-old bread (bread with a firm crumb works best for custard soaked bread)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole milk or half-and-half makes it richer)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (adds that cozy caramel note)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Butter or nonstick spray (for greasing your baking dish)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts or fresh berries
No worries if you don’t have brown sugar handy—I often substitute it with a good splash of maple syrup in our French Toast Casserole for extra comfort and natural sweetness! These ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, which means no last-minute runs while juggling school drop-offs.
This French Toast Casserole proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive, either. I like to save crusts from sandwich bread or use day-old bakery bread around here—it keeps costs low and flavors high. For busy families, prepping your bread cubes a day ahead cuts down morning hassle. My family gets extra comfort when I sprinkle cinnamon liberally—it really brings out warm, inviting notes.
If you’d like, toss in chopped nuts or berries for texture and a fruity pop. It feels like a holiday brunch casserole when you do!
Let’s Make it Happen!
Ready to whip up your French Toast Casserole? Let’s take it step-by-step.
- Prep your baking dish: Grease an 8×11 inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray. This French Toast Casserole deserves a smooth release after baking.
- Cube your bread: Cut your day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. If it’s fresh, give it a few hours to dry out or toast lightly. Custard soaked bread works best when the cubes aren’t too soft.
- Mix the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. This custard is the heart of the French Toast Casserole’s comforting flavor.
- Combine: Add bread cubes into the custard mixture. Stir gently to fully coat every piece. This step is key to soak up all the custard goodness. I used to under-mix here, but letting it sit a few minutes ensures that perfect custard soaked bread texture.
- Transfer to dish: Pour everything into your prepared dish. Use a spatula to smooth the top. At this stage, you can sprinkle nuts or berries if you like.
- Overnight magic: Cover and refrigerate overnight. This step is what makes this recipe shine as a time-saving, stress-cutting overnight French toast bake.
- Bake the next day: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. Your kitchen will start smelling like a warm hug. The edges will be golden and slightly crisp.
- Check doneness: Insert a knife into the center; it should come out clean. If your French Toast Casserole looks a little soft in the middle, no worries—it will set more as it cools.
Tip: While it bakes, use the baking time to tackle school lunches or sip that much-needed coffee.
I learned this French Toast Casserole takes patience but rewards patience. It’s one of those dishes that fills your home with a cozy aroma and your family with content smiles. If you want a more detailed spin on baked French toast recipes, this best baked French toast casserole guide is wonderful.
How We Love to Eat This!
When it comes to serving our French Toast Casserole, it’s all about keeping it simple and kid-friendly. The kids devour this comforting French Toast Casserole when I serve it with crispy bacon strips or fresh fruit on the side. The salty-sweet balance always scores big points.
For school mornings, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup is usually enough to get giggles around the table. My little one loves it with sliced bananas on top; the texture combo gives a little welcome surprise.
This French Toast Casserole doubles perfectly as a holiday brunch casserole. I like to bring it out for lazy weekends when everyone lingers in PJs, sipping coffee and chatting. Pro tip: a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving really lifts the presentation—because even comforting food can look inviting on your plate!
Got leftovers? No problem! This French Toast Casserole reheats beautifully in the oven or microwave. I usually wrap portions individually for easy grab-and-go breakfasts during the week. You can tweak the recipe seasonally by adding pumpkin pie spice for fall or fresh berries in summer.
Friends who drop by always ask for the recipe—this casserole is a total crowd-pleaser! If you’re looking for more cozy casserole vibes, check out some of my favorites like green bean casserole, broccoli cheese casserole, or cracker barrel hashbrown casserole.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Absolutely! The combination of eggs, milk, and hearty bread makes this French Toast Casserole a satisfying start to busy mornings. My kids often get full and keep busy with energy for hours.
Try adding a familiar topping like syrup or fruit. Sometimes letting them help with sprinkling cinnamon or berries makes them eager to taste. Kids love feeling part of the kitchen magic!
Yes! The beauty of this overnight French toast bake is prepping ahead and baking fresh when you’re ready. You can also freeze the uncooked casserole and bake later—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Very. I’ve swapped milk for dairy-free alternatives with success and added nuts or berries depending on the season. The key is the custard soaked bread base.
Yes! Just swap out the bread for your favorite gluten-free variety. I’ve had great results with sturdy gluten-free breads, and my family loved it just the same.
Make sure your bread is slightly dried out or day-old to absorb the custard without turning mushy. Also, don’t cover the dish while baking to help crisp edges form.
Reheat gently in the oven to refresh that lovely crispness. I like to add a splash of milk before reheating if it seems too dry.
If you want more answers or French Toast Casserole ideas, Belle of the Kitchen’s French Toast Casserole page has fabulous tips!
Final Thoughts:
This French Toast Casserole supports my family’s comfort food goals every single time. It’s a simple way to whip up breakfast that feels like a warm hug.
- Always let your bread soak overnight—custard soaked bread is where the magic happens.
- Don’t shy away from adding a sprinkle of brown sugar on top for that extra caramelized crunch.
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread; fresh bread just won’t soak up the custard like it should.
We’ve tried several family-tested variations—plain cinnamon, berry-studded, and a nutty crunch version with walnuts. My husband loves the nutty one, while the kids scream for the fruity version!
Make this French Toast Casserole your own way and let it grow with your family’s tastes. I believe every mom deserves the joy of comfort food without stress—and this casserole delivers that day after day.
For even more comfort food inspiration that fits into the cozy chaos of family life, you might like checking out my favorite green bean casserole or a creamy broccoli cheese casserole.

Give this French Toast Casserole a try soon; I hope it brings your table as much warmth and smiles as it does mine. You’re doing a great job feeding your family—one cozy casserole at a time!
French Toast Casserole
This French Toast Casserole is a rich and comforting breakfast dish featuring custardy baked bread slices, perfect for family brunches or special mornings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Powdered sugar and maple syrup for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Place the cubed bread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to soak all bread pieces.
- Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
- In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar and flour. Using a pastry cutter or fingers, cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the soaked bread.
- Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding a handful of fresh berries or chopped nuts to the topping before baking.

