Name: Overnight French Toast Casserole with Brown Sugar Crumble Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 4 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 large eggs; 3 cups half and half; ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed; ½ tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 (12-16 oz) baguette, cubed into 1-inch chunks (preferably at least 1 day old); 2 cups old fashioned oats; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped; 2 cups dark brown sugar, packed; ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, melted; Maple syrup; Strawberries, sliced; Whipped cream

Ingredients

French Toast Casserole:

8 large eggs
3 cups half and half
¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
½ tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
1 (12-16 oz) baguette, cubed into 1-inch chunks (at least 1 day old)

Crumble:

2 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted

Toppings (optional):

Maple syrup
Sliced strawberries
Whipped cream

Instructions

Step 1: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: In a very large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.

Step 3: Gently fold in the cubed baguette pieces, making sure they are evenly coated.

Step 4: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and take off the foil while the oven heats.

Step 6: In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and melted butter. Mix until crumbly and well blended.

Step 7: Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 8: Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until the casserole is puffed and the crumble topping is lightly golden.

Step 9: Serve warm, topped with maple syrup, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use day-old bread for better absorption and texture; fresh bread can make the casserole soggy.

Try different nuts like walnuts or almonds for a varied crunch in the crumble topping.

Add a splash of bourbon or orange zest to the egg mixture for extra flavor.

For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free flour and oats in the crumble.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole the same day I want to serve it?

While you can prepare it a few hours ahead, allowing it to soak overnight in the refrigerator improves the texture and flavor significantly.

What type of bread works best for this recipe?

A day-old baguette is ideal because its firm texture absorbs the custard without becoming mushy. You can also use other sturdy breads like challah or brioche if they’re at least a day old.