Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is a delightful dish that perfectly captures the essence of a cozy breakfast. This casserole is a warm, comforting blend of custardy bread soaked in a rich mixture, topped with a crunchy, cinnamon-infused streusel. It offers an irresistible combination of textures; your first bite unveils the soft, creamy interior, while the streusel adds that satisfying crunch. With its sweet aroma wafting through your kitchen, it promises to be a showstopper at any breakfast gathering or brunch celebration.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

I first stumbled upon this recipe during a lazy Sunday morning spent flipping through my favorite cookbooks. The thought of waking up to a warm, freshly baked casserole without the morning rush of preparing breakfast was too appealing. This Overnight French Toast Casserole is not just easy to prepare; it’s a total crowd-pleaser! It’s as perfect for special occasions as it is for a casual weekday breakfast. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself dreaming of breakfast the night before.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Prep takes just 20 minutes the night before, leaving you with hardly any work in the morning.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of eggs, cream, and cinnamon creates a flavor that’s delightful and soul-warming.
Eye-Catching Appeal: This casserole can wow guests with its beautiful, golden-brown top and inviting presentation.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for brunch with friends, breakfast on weekends, or even holiday gatherings.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adjustable to vegan or gluten-free diets with simple ingredient swaps.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 pound loaf of sourdough or French bread: This gives the casserole a delightful texture. Opt for day-old bread for best results, as it absorbs the custard better.
8 large eggs: Essential for the custardy base, providing richness and structure. Make sure they’re at room temperature for even mixing.
2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%): Whole milk enhances creaminess, but feel free to use a lower-fat version or a dairy alternative for a lighter version.
½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream: Adds richness and decadence. If looking for lighter options, you can substitute with half-and-half.
½ cup (104g) granulated sugar: Sweetness helps balance the flavors. You can reduce the sugar for a less sweet experience if desired.
¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar: Provides a deeper, molasses-like flavor that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
2 tablespoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors. Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: The star of the flavor profile! Use fresh cinnamon for the best aroma.
¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour: This is for making the delicious streusel topping, providing a crumbly texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft casserole.
¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar: For the streusel, adding that characteristic brown sugar flavor.
2 teaspoons cinnamon: A second hit of cinnamon flavor in the topping enriches the experience.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor in both the custard and streusel.
½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces): For the streusel, use cold butter for that crumbly texture that makes for an amazing topping.

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

Grease the casserole dish: Begin by generously greasing a 9 x 13 casserole dish with butter or non-stick spray. This will ensure the casserole doesn’t stick and makes for easy serving later.

Prepare the bread: Cut your loaf of sourdough or French bread into 1-inch chunks. Evenly spread the bread chunks across the bottom of the greased casserole dish for maximum flavor absorption.

Whisk the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, ½ cup of heavy whipping cream, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract, and 1 ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon until the mixture is fully combined and slightly frothy. This combination will create the creamy custard that soaks the bread.

Combine and refrigerate: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread chunks, ensuring every piece is coated. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure it’s all soaked. Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight for the best results.

Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, mix together ¾ cup of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup of packed light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Add in ½ cup of butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbles form. If you prefer a chunkier topping, don’t overwork it. This can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge overnight.

Preheat the oven: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for thoroughly cooking the egg mixture while giving the top that golden color.

Add the streusel: Crumble your prepared streusel evenly over the top of the casserole. Try to cover as much of the surface as you can; this will add that delicious crunch we all love.

Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you prefer a softer, more custardy texture, check it around the 45-minute mark. The casserole should be set, with the edges slightly golden and bubbling.

Serve and enjoy: Once it’s done baking, let it cool for a few minutes before serving warm. Pair your individual portions with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh fruit for an extra pop of flavor.

Storing & Reheating

To store leftovers, let the casserole cool completely and keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you’d like to extend its life, refrigerate it, where it will last for up to a week. For longer storage, slice and freeze portions in that same airtight container for up to three months. To reheat, simply pop individual servings in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. Keep in mind that while reheating, the texture may lose some of its fluffiness but it will still be delicious with a quick refresh.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid sogginess: Make sure to use slightly stale bread; fresh bread may absorb too much liquid.
Room temperature ingredients: Bringing ingredients like eggs and milk to room temperature helps them combine better for a smooth custard.
Adjust sweetness: Feel free to tweak the amount of sugar based on your taste or dietary preferences.
Custom mix-ins: Consider adding chopped fruits, chocolate chips, or nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Chill before baking: Letting the casserole sit overnight is key to letting the flavors meld beautifully.

When it comes to breakfast, there’s nothing quite like pulling a pan of Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel from the oven. This dish captures the heart and soul of breakfast gatherings, encapsulating warmth and love in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or just treating yourself, this casserole delivers both comfort and delight. Don’t be afraid to get creative and play with different flavor combinations, as the base recipe is incredibly versatile. I hope this becomes a staple in your breakfast repertoire!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different types of bread?

Absolutely! While sourdough or French bread works best for texture, feel free to try brioche, challah, or even gluten-free bread if preferred. Each type will give a unique flavor and consistency to your casserole.

How can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

The beauty of this casserole is that it’s made ahead! You can assemble it the night before, let it sit in the fridge, and then bake it fresh in the morning. If you want to make the streusel ahead of time, you can refrigerate it separately and add it just before baking.

Why is my casserole soggy?

A common culprit for sogginess is using fresh bread. It’s best to use day-old bread or toast fresh bread lightly before cutting it into chunks. Also, make sure to soak the bread just enough to absorb the custard without becoming overly soggy.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Yes! Leftover casserole can be frozen for up to three months. Slice it into individual servings, wrap tightly in plastic, or place in an airtight container. Just reheating may change the texture slightly, but the flavor will still be delightful.

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Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel combines the rich flavors of sourdough bread, eggs, and a crunchy streusel topping to create a delectable breakfast option. Perfect for gatherings or a leisurely Sunday morning, this easy recipe makes a satisfyingly warm dish that’s bound to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound loaf of sourdough or french bread
8 large eggs
2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
½ cup (104g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces)

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Instructions

Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish and set it aside.
Cut the bread into 1-inch chunks and spread them evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, both sugars, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring all pieces are coated.
Cover the casserole and store it in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
To prepare the streusel topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture forms a crumble. This can be stored in the fridge overnight if preferred.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the top of the casserole, covering as much as possible.
Bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Bake for less time for a softer texture or longer for a firmer texture.
Serve warm with syrup and toppings such as powdered sugar or fresh fruit.

Notes

You can prepare the casserole the night before for convenient morning serving.
Adjust baking time according to your texture preference, moist or firm.
This dish can easily be doubled for a larger gathering.