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Overnight Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel Topping

A close-up of a square serving of french toast casserole topped with rich, dark brown cinnamon streusel.
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Prepare this rich, custardy French Toast Casserole the night before for a stress-free morning. It bakes up fluffy inside with a crisp, sweet cinnamon streusel topping, making it a perfect crowd-pleasing breakfast for holidays or weekend brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (13-ounce) loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press the bread down to help it absorb the liquid. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap.
  5. Refrigerate the casserole for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
  6. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the plastic wrap.
  7. Prepare the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, melted butter, and flour. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until coarse crumbs form.
  8. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the soaked bread.
  9. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the casserole is set, puffed, and the topping is golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  10. Let the baked french toast casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm. Serve with maple syrup.

Notes

  • Using day-old bread works best as it soaks up the custard mixture better without becoming mushy.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the whole milk with heavy cream in the custard mixture.
  • This recipe is excellent for feeding a crowd; adjust baking time slightly if using a smaller dish.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/french-toast-casserole-recipe/