Description
This Overnight French Toast Casserole is a delicious and easy brunch recipe perfect for serving a crowd. Prepare it the night before, refrigerate, and simply bake in the morning to enjoy a warm, comforting dish topped with a crunchy brown sugar pecan crumble. Perfect for special occasions or weekend breakfasts.
Ingredients
Scale
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 (preferably 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
- Strawberries, sliced
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a very large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until fully combined.
- Add Bread: Gently fold the cubed baguette pieces into the egg mixture, ensuring the bread is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours to allow the bread to soak and flavors to meld.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Crumble: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and take off the foil. In a large bowl, mix together rolled oats, all-purpose flour, chopped pecans, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and melted butter until the mixture is evenly combined and crumbly.
- Add Crumble Topping: Evenly sprinkle the crumble mixture over the surface of the soaked bread casserole.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the casserole is puffed up and the crumble topping is golden and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm topped with optional maple syrup, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream if desired for added sweetness and flavor.
Notes
- Use day-old baguette or bread for best texture to absorb the custard without becoming mushy.
- The casserole can be refrigerated for up to 4 days before baking.
- You can freeze the baked casserole for up to 2 months; reheat in microwave or oven until warmed through.
- Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on preference.
- Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg amounts to taste for a more or less spiced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: brown sugar crumble, french toast, casserole, brunch, overnight, baked french toast
