Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is the kind of breakfast dish that warms your heart before you even take your first bite. Imagine crisp edges that hug soft, custardy centers, enveloped by a sweet cinnamon aroma that fills your kitchen. This recipe combines the best of both worlds: the comfort of homemade French toast and the ease of preparing it ahead of time. Perfect for busy mornings, family gatherings, or even a cozy weekend brunch, this dish manages to feel special without overtaking your entire schedule.
Table of Contents
What makes this casserole stand out is its adaptability. Prepare it the night before, let it soak, and bake it in the morning while sipping your coffee. It’s a crowd-pleaser that never fails to impress guests or family members. The crunchy cinnamon streusel on top creates a delightful texture that pairs beautifully with the tender bread base. You’ll love how simple and satisfying it is, all while avoiding the fuss of individual servings. Give this recipe a try; it’s time to indulge in a breakfast that tastes like a warm hug!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With only 20 minutes of prep, you can have this ready for the fridge overnight, making morning cooking a breeze.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet and rich custard, paired with buttery streusel, will have everybody asking for seconds.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The golden-brown topping and fluffy interior create an impressive centerpiece for your breakfast table.
- Flexible Serving: Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. This casserole fits any occasion perfectly.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Swap in gluten-free bread or alternative milks for a tailored dish that fits various dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound loaf of sourdough or French bread: This bread forms the base of your casserole, adding a chewy texture. You can substitute with challah or brioche for a richer flavor.
- 8 large eggs: Essential for creating the custard mixture that binds everything together. Room temperature eggs will blend more easily.
- 2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%): This adds moisture and creaminess. For a lighter version, choose low-fat milk or a dairy alternative.
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream: The cream gives the casserole its decadent feel. You can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option.
- ½ cup (104g) granulated sugar: This helps sweeten your custard mixture. Feel free to adjust based on your taste preferences.
- ¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar: Adds a deep, molasses-like flavor; you could use all granulated sugar if necessary.
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and introduces a warm flavor profile.
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth. Freshly ground cinnamon will enhance the flavor even more.
- ¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour: This is used for the streusel topping. Alternatively, use oat flour for a gluten-free option.
- ¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar: Needed for the streusel topping; it provides great texture and sweetness.
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon: Extra cinnamon adds depth to the streusel. Adjust according to your preference for spice.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances flavors in both the custard and streusel.
- ½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces): Promotes a crumbly texture in the streusel and adds richness. Use cold butter for best results.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
Prep the Dish: Start by greasing a 9 x 13 casserole dish, ensuring that your casserole won’t stick. Set it aside, allowing you to focus on the next tasty steps.
Cut the Bread: Take your loaf of sourdough or French bread and cut it into 1-inch chunks. Spread the bread pieces evenly in the prepared casserole dish, creating a cozy layer that will absorb all that rich custard.
Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, ½ cup of heavy whipping cream, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract, and 1 ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Make sure it’s well combined, then pour this mixture evenly over the bread. It should coat every piece to create that delicious custardy texture.
Refrigerate Overnight: Cover your casserole dish with plastic wrap or foil, and pop it in the fridge. Letting it rest for several hours or overnight allows the bread to soak up all that custard goodness.
Prepare the Streusel: When you’re ready to bake, combine ¾ cup of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup of packed light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a bowl. Cut in ½ cup of cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge overnight too!
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. This step is crucial because you want your casserole to bake evenly and thoroughly.
Add the Streusel: Take the casserole out of the fridge and crumble your prepared streusel topping evenly over the bread mixture. Try to cover as much surface area as possible for that delicious crunch on top.
Bake It Up: Place your casserole in the preheated oven, baking for about 45 minutes to an hour. If you prefer a softer, more custardy texture, bake for the shorter time. For a firmer casserole, lean toward the hour mark. Look out for bubbling around the edges and a golden top.
Serve Warm: Once ready, remove your casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to settle. Serve warm with a drizzle of syrup and toppings like powdered sugar or fresh fruit for an extra special touch.
Storing & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the casserole, wrapped tightly, for up to 3 months. When reheating, pop it in the oven at 350ºF for about 15-20 minutes, just until heated through. Keep in mind the texture may become slightly different, but a drizzle of syrup can refresh its glory.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid Soggy Bread: Make sure to let the bread dry out a bit before using it, or use slightly stale bread for the best texture.
- Egg Temperature Matters: Using room temperature eggs helps achieve a smoother custard.
- Customize Flavors: Experiment with adding chocolate chips or swapping in different extracts like almond for a fun twist.
- Plan Ahead: This casserole is perfect for making ahead of time, especially for holidays or gatherings—just bake when ready!
- Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to test for doneness; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
No breakfast spread is complete without a stunning centerpiece, and this Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel has it all. With its mix of flavors and textures, it promises to become a family favorite. Enjoy experimenting with different toppings or spices, and let this dish be your go-to for any occasion. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find every reason to make it again and again!
Recipe FAQs
Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Yes! This recipe is designed for overnight preparation. Simply follow the steps up until baking, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just add the streusel and pop it in the oven.
What type of bread works best for this casserole?
Sourdough or French bread is ideal for this casserole due to its texture and ability to soak up the custard. However, feel free to experiment with brioche or challah for a richer taste.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Wrap any leftover casserole tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just reheat it in the oven when you’re ready for a tasty breakfast treat.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make the casserole dairy-free, opt for almond milk or coconut milk in place of regular milk and use a non-dairy cream alternative. Don’t forget to choose a dairy-free butter for the streusel!
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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 perfect for breakfast or brunch. With its delightful blend of sourdough bread, rich eggs, and creamy milk, topped with a delicious streusel, it’s an easy and satisfying meal.
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
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish and set aside.
- Cut the bread into 1-inch chunks and spread them evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture over the bread evenly, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- Cover the casserole and refrigerate it for several hours or overnight.
- For the streusel topping, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Add butter and cut it into the dry mixture until it forms a crumble. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the casserole before baking, covering as much of it as possible.
- Bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Adjust baking time based on desired texture: shorter for moist, longer for firmer.
- Serve warm with syrup and toppings like powdered sugar or fresh fruit.
Notes
Make the streusel topping the night before to save time in the morning.
This casserole is great for feeding a crowd at brunch or during holidays.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
