Easy, no-fuss baked french toast casserole with a cinnamon-nutmeg praline and maple syrup topping is a favorite make-ahead breakfast or a bake-now breakfast casserole that is a must-try!
Whether you make this delicious breakfast for Easter, Mother’s Day, Christmas morning or a Sunday, it’s always a crowd favorite!
This casserole recipe is right up there with our Blueberry French Toast Casserole and Cinnamon Roll French Toast! You are going to love it! If you need more tips on making the best French Toast, try this post next – How to Make the Best French Toast Each and Every Time!!
Baked French Toast Casserole
Baked French Toast Casserole is a delicious spin on a classic breakfast recipe – French Toast. French Toast is normally made with slices of bread, dipped in an egg and milk mixture, and browned to perfection in a skillet on the stove-top. But this recipe is put together almost effortlessly in a 9×13 baking dish and baked to perfection!
Prepare this simple make-ahead recipe the night before then bake your French Toast Casserole in the morning for an easy, delicious breakfast that always turns out perfect!
Or if you don’t have time for overnight chilling, you can easily pop the dish into the oven right away – it’s so easy!
This recipe is made with crusty french bread that puffs up when baked. The top gets all toasty brown and buttery while the inside is soft and delicious!
Easy Baked French Toast Casserole is a family favorite recipe for any weekend or holiday! It’s a must-try for any season!
How to make Cinnamon Baked French Toast
Ingredients Needed
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Bread Layer:
- French bread – This bread is the best for texture.
- eggs – You need this for the binding ingredient for the cinnamon and spices.
- half-and-half
- milk
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- salt
Topping:
- butter – I used unsalted butter here.
- light brown sugar – Make sure to pack it when measuring.
- chopped pecans – Bite-sized is best.
- light corn syrup
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- Maple Syrup for serving – Optional but so good!
How To Make Easy French Toast Casserole
To make ahead:
1. Cut bread
Slice French bread into 1-inch each slice.
2. Put bread in baking dish
Lay slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish, overlapping the slices. (like the picture above)
3. Mix
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together well until blended.
4. Pour
Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread slices until it is all covered.
5. Cover and Chill (if you’re making ahead)
At this point, you will cover with foil and chill overnight in the refrigerator – OR move on to the next directions.
6. Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Make the topping
Make the Praline Topping but combining all of the ingredients into a bowl and mixing with a fork.
8. Add topping
Spoon the Praline Topping evenly over the bread
9. Bake
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and the bread has “puffed up.”
10. Cool down
Allow to sit for 10 minutes and serve topped with maple syrup.
Tools Used in the Making of this Easy French Toast Bake:
FAQS
This is best made fresh. The longest I would make this ahead of time is overnight, and then I would just follow the simple directions listed below.
Absolutely! Walnuts are a great addition as well to this simple french toast bake!
The best flavor and texture are to enjoy this simple overnight casserole warm. If you’re a fan of leftovers, you can nibble on it cold the next day, but I recommend popping it in the microwave to reheat!
Like this simple overnight french toast? Check out my other amazing breakfast recipes!
Baked French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Bread Layer
- 1 loaf French bread|
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 cup 2 sticks real butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Maple Syrup for serving
Instructions
- Slice French bread into 1-inch each slice.
- Lay slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish, overlapping the slices. (like the picture above)
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together well until blended.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread slices until it is all covered.
- At this point, you will cover with foil and chill overnight in the refrigerator – OR move on to the next directions.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make the Praline Topping but combining all of the ingredients into a bowl and mixing with a fork.
- Spoon the Praline Topping evenly over the bread
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and the bread has “puffed up”
- Allow to sit for 10 minutes and serve topped with maple syrup.
I make this recipe every New Years Day for an annual brunch. I have never managed to bring some home for the next dy breakfast. Always a big hit. A must have to serve with is warm Real MapleSyrup.