Description
This French Toast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast bake! Featuring fluffy, custard-soaked bread and a buttery, nutty crumble topping, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for brunches, holidays, or cozy mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 1-pound loaf of crusty bread (sourdough, Italian, or French)
- 8 large eggs
- 3 cups half-and-half
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar (divided)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (divided)
Crumble Topping:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Tear the bread into bite-sized pieces and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, ½ cup brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. Pour over the bread and press down gently. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare the crumble by mixing nuts, flour, remaining brown sugar, nutmeg, and salt. Add softened butter and mix into clumps. Refrigerate until baking.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the crumble over the casserole and bake for 45–50 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries.
Notes
- Use slightly stale bread for better absorption of the custard.
- For a crispier topping, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American