Description
This Overnight French Toast Casserole is a delightful make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish featuring layers of brioche bread, whipped cream cheese, and optional fresh fruit, jam, nuts, or chocolate chips. Soaked overnight in a rich custard mixture flavored with maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon, then baked to perfection with a buttery brown sugar crumb topping, this casserole offers a balance of creamy, sweet, and spiced flavors. Easy to prepare the night before, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leisurely mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Cream Cheese Layer
- 1 (17.6-ounce) loaf brioche bread (500g, pre-sliced or cubed)
- 8 ounces whipped cream cheese (226g)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (30g)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- 1 cup fresh fruit (optional)
- 1 cup jam (optional)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Custard Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half & half (480mL) or 1 cup whole milk + 1 cup heavy cream
- â…” cup light brown sugar (133g, packed)
- ¼ cup 100% pure maple syrup (60mL)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 6 tablespoons salted butter (84g, cold and cubed)
- â…“ cup light brown sugar (67g, packed)
- â…“ cup all-purpose flour (44g, spooned and leveled)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan: Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside to ensure the casserole won’t stick after baking.
- Cube the bread: Cut the brioche loaf into 1-inch cubes. If pre-sliced, cut each slice into 12 pieces for even layering.
- Layer half the bread: Spread half of the cubed brioche evenly in the prepared baking pan as the base layer.
- Make the cream cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and uniform.
- Add cream cheese and remaining bread: Dollop half of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the bread in the pan, then top with the remaining bread cubes. Follow with dolloping the rest of the cream cheese mixture on top.
- Add optional mix-ins: If using fresh fruit, jam, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips, divide them in half and layer them along with the cream cheese and bread layers. For best results, add fruit or jam, not both. Nuts and chocolate chips can be combined with either or omitted.
- Prepare custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, half & half (or milk and cream mix), brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla bean paste, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully blended.
- Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and cream cheese in the pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Preheat oven and press casserole: When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove pan from refrigerator and gently press down on casserole with the foil to compact the bread for even baking, then discard the foil.
- Make the crumb topping: Cube the cold salted butter and combine with brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture clumps together into a crumbly topping.
- Apply topping and bake: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the French toast casserole. Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes. Baking closer to 45 minutes yields a softer, custardy texture, while 55 minutes gives a firmer, less eggy consistency.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly. Serve warm dusted with powdered sugar and optionally topped with fresh fruit, maple syrup, or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Use brioche bread for its rich texture and flavor; challah or Texas toast are good alternatives.
- You can customize this casserole by mixing in fruit, jam, nuts, or chocolate chips according to your preferences. Avoid combining fresh fruit and jam to prevent overly soggy texture.
- Soaking the casserole overnight is essential for the bread to absorb the custard fully for a creamy interior.
- For an eggier texture, bake longer; for a softer casserole, bake on the shorter end of the time range.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved easily depending on serving size requirements.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven or microwave.
