French Toast Overnight Casserole

French Toast Overnight Casserole is the perfect make-ahead holiday breakfast! Serve this indulgent dish with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and your favorite fruit.

This French Toast Overnight Casserole is the one thing I ask for every year at Christmas. My mom started making this recipe years ago, and now it's something that I make for my kids.

French Toast Overnight Casserole

I throw this together in the kitchen the night before (usually when we're trying to finish up all the wrapping- obviously) and pop it in the refrigerator before bed. The next morning (usually after the kids have excitedly woken us up- obviously) I put it in the oven while I make my coffee and get ready for the morning's festivities.

Ingredients

This French Toast Overnight Casserole uses simple ingredients that I generally always have on hand. (I keep plenty of light corn syrup stocked during the holidays for my favorite Pecan Pie and Caramelized Pecan Brie desserts.)

For this recipe, you will need:

• Brown sugar
• Light corn syrup
• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs
• Milk
• Sliced bread

Instructions

You can prepare this oven French toast to bake immediately or the next day. If baking immediately, make sure the bread has enough time to soak up the egg mixture. I prefer to use Texas Toast sliced in half, but you could also cut into medium-large cubes.

To make this recipe, you will:

1. Bring the sugars, butter, corn syrup, and cinnamon to a boil in a saucepan, stirring constantly. 
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. 
3. Slice the bread in half and arrange in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and extra cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread. Carefully drizzle the caramel mixture over the top.
5. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Remove from the refrigerator while preheating the oven to 350°F. 
7. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.

Recipe Notes

• DO NOT put a cold glass dish into a hot oven. Either allow the dish to cool to room temperature while the oven is pre-heating or place the cold dish in the oven to pre-heat and come up to temperature with the oven.
• For a more seasonal flavor, try using pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice instead of the cinnamon in this dish.
• You can top this casserole French Toast with chopped pecans, fresh fruit, or homemade whipped cream. My kids always ask for red and green sprinkles.
• For best results, use a "sturdy" bread. I like to use Texas Toast, but you can also try Challah, Brioche, or even French bread.
• I have not tried using dairy alternatives, so please let me know if you do!

More Holiday Breakfast Ideas

• Homemade Pancakes
• Homemade Waffles
• Blueberry Muffins
• Breakfast Cheesecake