Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole for Christmas

Christmas morning is the perfect time for a special breakfast, but nobody wants to spend the entire morning in the kitchen!

This Christmas Morning French Toast Casserole is an easy make-ahead breakfast that you can prepare the night before and bake while everyone is enjoying the holiday.

Made with thick slices of bread soaked in a sweet cinnamon and vanilla egg mixture, this French toast casserole has a soft, custardy center and a buttery brown sugar topping that gets wonderfully crisp as it bakes.

Serve it warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar. It’s perfect for Christmas morning, holiday brunch, or any special family breakfast.

Related post: Easy Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

Why You’ll Love This Christmas French Toast Casserole

• Make it ahead: Assemble everything on Christmas Eve and refrigerate overnight.
• Easy ingredients: You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.
• Feeds a crowd: A 9×13-inch casserole makes plenty for a family breakfast.
• Wonderful holiday flavor: Cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar make this taste like a special Christmas treat.

Ingredients

French Toast Casserole

• 1 loaf French bread or brioche bread (about 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Brown Sugar Topping

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread

Cut the French bread into approximately 1-inch cubes. If your bread is very fresh, you can leave the cubes out on a baking sheet for an hour or two to dry slightly.

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish.

2. Make the Egg Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press the bread down with a spatula so the pieces can absorb the liquid.

3. Refrigerate Overnight

Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours.

This gives the bread plenty of time to soak up the cinnamon and vanilla custard.

4. Make the Topping

In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.

Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until the ingredients form a crumbly mixture. Stir in the chopped pecans, if using.

Cover and refrigerate the topping separately until morning.

5. Bake the Casserole

In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven heats. Sprinkle the brown sugar topping evenly over the bread.

Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.

If you prefer a softer, more custardy casserole, bake closer to 45 minutes. For a firmer casserole with a crispier top, bake a little longer.

Let rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best French Toast Casserole

Use slightly stale bread. Day-old French bread, brioche, or challah works especially well. The bread absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too mushy.

Cut the bread into similar-sized pieces. This helps the casserole bake evenly.

Don’t skip the overnight soak. Giving the bread enough time to absorb the custard is what makes this casserole so delicious.

Adjust the baking time. Every oven is a little different. If the center still looks wet, give it another 5–10 minutes in the oven.

Make it your own. Add chopped pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, or a handful of fresh blueberries for a little extra flavor.

Can You Make French Toast Casserole Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! This recipe is designed to be made ahead.

Prepare the bread and egg mixture the night before, cover the baking dish, and refrigerate overnight. Mix the brown sugar topping separately and keep it covered in the refrigerator.

In the morning, sprinkle the topping over the casserole and bake.

You can even assemble it up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover French toast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat individual servings in the microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat larger portions in a 325-degree F oven, covered with foil, until heated through.

What to Serve with Christmas French Toast Casserole

This sweet breakfast casserole is delicious on its own, but it’s even better with a few simple breakfast sides.

Try serving it with:

• Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage
• Scrambled eggs
• Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Homemade cranberry butter

My Crock Pot Cranberry Butter would be especially delicious served alongside this French toast casserole.

For a holiday brunch, add a pot of coffee, hot chocolate, and a bowl of fresh fruit.

More Christmas Baking Recipes

If you’re planning your holiday baking, here are a few more recipes to add to your Christmas list:

• 12 Traditional Christmas Cookies to Make From Scratch
• 15 Christmas Cookies That Freeze Well
• Easy Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch

A Christmas Morning Breakfast Tradition

There’s something special about waking up on Christmas morning to the smell of a homemade breakfast baking in the oven.

This French toast casserole makes it easy to enjoy a delicious holiday breakfast without spending your morning cooking. Prepare it the night before, add the topping in the morning, and let the oven do the work.

Serve it warm with maple syrup and fresh fruit, and enjoy a little extra time around the table with the people you love.

It just might become a new Christmas morning tradition!

Follow my Christmas Food board on Pinterest.