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Cozy Christmas Morning Baked French Toast Casserole

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A warm, golden baked French toast casserole made with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for Christmas morning, it can be assembled the night before or baked right away, allowing you to enjoy the festivities while the oven does the work.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large loaf day-old bread (about 16 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
  • Pure maple syrup for serving (optional)
  • Fresh berries or sliced bananas for serving (optional)
  • Whipped cream or Greek yogurt for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cut the day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until fully beaten and slightly frothy. Add the milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press the bread down into the custard to ensure even soaking. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter cubes and cut them into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, two forks, or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. Stir in the nuts if using. Refrigerate the streusel until needed.
  6. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the soaked bread. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set (internal temperature should reach about 165°F / 74°C).
  7. Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
  8. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with warm maple syrup, and add fresh berries or other toppings if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

For overnight preparation, assemble the casserole completely (including streusel), cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake as directed, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time if needed. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked French toast casserole, Christmas breakfast, overnight French toast, holiday brunch, easy breakfast casserole

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-christmas-morning-baked-french-toast-casserole/