Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is a sumptuous dish that combines the fluffy texture of perfectly baked bread with a delightful, crisp topping. It’s truly a breakfast lover’s dream. The richness of the eggs, cream, and sugars meld into the bread overnight, allowing it to soak up every ounce of flavor. The best part? Preparing this indulgent casserole only takes about 20 minutes, making it an excellent choice for those busy mornings or when you have guests to impress!
Table of Contents
I first discovered this gem during a holiday brunch, and it quickly became a staple in my kitchen. The enticing aroma of cinnamon wafting through the house is simply unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a weekend family brunch, a festive gathering, or just craving something cozy, this casserole fits the bill perfectly. With its simple preparation and crowd-pleasing taste, you’ll want to make this Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel a regular feature at your table. So, let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Takes just 20 minutes to prep and can be made the night before!
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of fresh bread soaked in a rich custard creates a delightful balance of flavors.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: This casserole looks impressive, making it perfect for special occasions or family gatherings.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a dessert; it satisfies any craving anytime!
- Diet-Friendly Options: Easily modified to be gluten-free or dairy-free by swapping the bread and milk.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound loaf of sourdough or French bread: Adds a delightful chewy texture and holds up perfectly when soaked in custard.
- 8 large eggs: Provides structure and richness to the casserole, ensuring it’s cohesive.
- 2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%): The milk adds creaminess; whole milk is recommended for a richer flavor.
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream: Enhances the overall richness and helps create a silky texture.
- ½ cup (104g) granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the flavors in the custard.
- ¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness with its caramel notes, complementing the cinnamon.
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor profile with a warm, aromatic touch.
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and aromatic notes; feel free to use freshly grated cinnamon for enhanced flavor.
- ¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour: Essential for creating the crumble streusel topping; ensures a delightful crunch.
- ¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar: Adds a sweet, caramel-like richness to the streusel.
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon: Doubles down on flavor, enhancing the overall experience.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Brings balance to sweetness and enhances the overall flavors.
- ½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces): Provides richness to the streusel; it’s best to use cold butter for a crumbly texture.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
Grease the Dish: Start by greasing a 9 x 13 casserole dish with a little butter or non-stick spray, ensuring that every inch is covered to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Bread: Cut your loaf of sourdough or French bread into 1-inch chunks. Spread these delightful pieces evenly across the bottom of the greased casserole dish, making sure to fill in gaps for even soaking.
Whisk the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups (480ml) of milk, ½ cup (120ml) of heavy whipping cream, ½ cup (104g) of granulated sugar, ¼ cup (36g) of packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract, and 1 ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon. This mixture will create the velvety custard that soaks into the bread, transforming it into a rich breakfast delight.
Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread chunks, ensuring all pieces are well coated. This ensures each bite is bursting with flavor. Once coated, cover the casserole and place it in the fridge to soak for at least several hours or overnight for the best results.
Make the Streusel Topping: To prepare the delectable cinnamon streusel topping (this can also be made ahead and refrigerated), combine ¾ cup (98g) of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup (169g) of packed light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a mixing bowl. Add ½ cup (112g) of cold butter cut into pieces. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. This adds the perfect texture to your casserole.
Preheat the Oven: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350ºF. This ensures it gets hot enough to properly cook the casserole.
Top with Streusel: Crumble the prepared streusel topping evenly over the soaked bread mixture, covering it as much as possible. This will create a deliciously crunchy layer on top while the casserole bakes.
Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to one hour. Bake for a shorter time for a moist, softer texture, or a bit longer for a firmer biting experience. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Serve Warm: Once the casserole is out of the oven, serve it warm with a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or fresh fruit on top. Every bite of this Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is a comforting delight!
Storing & Reheating
You can store leftover Overnight French Toast Casserole at room temperature for up to 2 hours after baking. For longer storage, cover it and refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When reheating, pop it in a preheated oven at 350ºF for about 15-20 minutes, until warmed through. Please note that the texture may change slightly upon reheating, but refreshing it with a drizzle of syrup can do wonders!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid soggy bread by ensuring you don’t over-soak the bread pieces in the custard.
- It’s best to use eggs and butter at room temperature for a smoother custard.
- For a slightly crunchy texture, top the casserole with extra nuts or oats in the streusel.
- You can also enhance the flavor by adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, berries, or nuts.
- Prep this casserole the night before to make your morning hassle-free!
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the comforting aroma of freshly baked Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel filling your kitchen. Not only is this dish a delightful treat, but it can transform any breakfast into a special occasion. Its flexibility allows for delightful experimentation; consider adding your favorite fruits or nuts into the mix! Enjoy each bite and make it your own, and don’t forget to share this experience with family and friends.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this Overnight French Toast Casserole in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, this casserole is designed to be made a day ahead. Simply prepare everything up to the baking step, cover it, and leave it in the fridge overnight. This way, the bread has plenty of time to soak up the custard.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make your casserole gluten-free, use a gluten-free loaf of bread. There are many types available that can yield a delicious result. Ensure that all other ingredients are also labeled gluten-free.
What can I serve with the casserole?
This casserole pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a generous drizzle of maple syrup. You could also add a sprinkle of nuts for extra texture and flavor!
Can I freeze the casserole before baking?
Yes, you can definitely freeze this casserole before baking it. Just be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed.
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📖 Recipe Card
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, combining tender bread soaked in a creamy egg mixture with a sweet cinnamon topping. Perfect for brunch gatherings or lazy weekend mornings!
Ingredients
- 1 pound loaf of sourdough or french bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (104g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces)
Instructions
- Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish and set aside.
- Cut bread into 1-inch chunks and spread them evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, both sugars, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, coating all the pieces.
- Cover the casserole and store it in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
- For the streusel topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add butter and cut into the dry mixture until it forms a crumble. Store this in the fridge if preferred.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the casserole, covering it as much as possible.
- Bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Adjust bake time based on desired texture: shorter for moist, longer for firmer.
- Serve warm with syrup and toppings like powdered sugar or fresh fruit.
Notes
The casserole can be assembled the night before for easier morning preparation.
Adjust baking time for your preferred texture: less time for moist, more for firmer.
Feel free to add nuts or other toppings to the streusel for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
