French Toast Casserole: Your New Favorite Morning Magic

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Hey there, breakfast lovers! 👋
If you’re the kind of person who dreams of cozy mornings, soft blankets, and the smell of cinnamon wafting through the house—then this is the recipe for you.

Let me introduce you to the breakfast hero you didn’t know you needed: Overnight French Toast Casserole.

This isn’t just breakfast… it’s breakfast with benefits. It’s the kind of dish that makes your weekend mornings feel extra special with zero AM stress. You mix it the night before, let all that custardy goodness soak in, and when you wake up—boom. Pop it in the oven and watch it puff up into golden, cinnamon-sugar-topped perfection.

Perfect for:

• Saturday brunch with the family 🧡

• Holiday mornings (hi, Christmas and Easter!) 🎄🐣

• Lazy Sundays with your favorite mug of coffee ☕

• Or anytime you want to feel a little spoiled before noon

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💛 Why You’ll Love Overnight French Toast Casserole

This casserole isn’t just a dish—it’s an experience. One that makes you feel warm, full, and a little nostalgic. Here’s what makes it so great:

✅ No early morning prep (because who wants to whisk eggs at 6 a.m.?)
✅ Feeds a crowd—everyone eats at the same time
✅ Super customizable with add-ins and toppings
✅ Soft and custardy inside, crisp and buttery on top
✅ Make-ahead magic that makes mornings easier

It’s the kind of meal you serve when you want your family or guests to feel taken care of. Or hey—just yourself. You deserve that too. 😉

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🍽️ Ingredients (Serves 8)

Let’s break down the two glorious layers that make this casserole a star: the custard-soaked bread base and the cinnamon crunch topping.

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🍞 For the French Toast Base:

• 1 loaf French bread or Texas toast (day-old works best!)

• 8 eggs

• 2 cups half-and-half

• ½ cup milk

• 3 tbsp sugar

• 1½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp salt

Chef Tip: Stale bread is key—it soaks up the custard better and holds its shape. Fresh bread works, but you might get a mushier texture (still delicious though!).

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✨ For the Cinnamon Crunch Topping:

• 1½ sticks butter, softened (that’s ¾ cup)

• 1 cup light brown sugar

• 1 tbsp light corn syrup (optional, but helps make it glossy and crisp!)

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

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👨‍🍳 Let’s Get to Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions

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✅ Step 1: Prepare the Dish

Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish generously. This prevents sticking and gives you that golden buttery edge. Yes, we want that.

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✅ Step 2: Slice and Layer the Bread

Slice your bread into 1-inch thick slices. Arrange them in the dish in a slightly overlapping pattern like neat little rows. It should look like a bread lasagna—trust the process.

Pro move: If you’re using baguette-style bread, you can stand them upright for a beautiful, bakery-style presentation.

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✅ Step 3: Make the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• 8 eggs

• 2 cups half-and-half

• ½ cup milk

• 3 tbsp sugar

• 1½ tsp vanilla

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• ½ tsp salt

Whisk it like you mean it! You want everything fully combined and smooth.

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✅ Step 4: Pour & Chill

Slowly pour the custard over the bread, making sure to get in between the slices and coat everything. Press down lightly so the bread soaks it up.

Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
This is when the magic happens—the bread soaks up all the flavor while you catch some Zzz’s.

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✅ Step 5: Flip (Optional, but Worth It)

In the morning, flip each slice of bread to make sure it’s evenly soaked. This helps give you that dreamy custard-in-the-middle texture without dry spots.

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✅ Step 6: Mix the Topping

In a bowl, mix:

• Softened butter

• Brown sugar

• Corn syrup (optional, but helps caramelize)

• Cinnamon

• Nutmeg

You’re aiming for a soft, spreadable paste—like cinnamon roll filling.

Spread it evenly over the top of your casserole like frosting. It’ll melt, bubble, and crisp up into the most amazing cinnamon-sugar topping.

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✅ Step 7: Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard has puffed slightly.

Your house will smell like a cinnamon bakery and your neighbors might start showing up with plates. Just saying.

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✅ Step 8: Serve Warm

Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. It’ll set slightly, making it easier to scoop or slice.

Top with:

• Maple syrup 🍁

• Powdered sugar ❄️

• Fresh berries 🍓

• Whipped cream or a drizzle of vanilla glaze if you’re feeling fancy!

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📊 Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)

This is comfort food, baby. Cozy, satisfying, and a little indulgent—in the best way.

• Calories: 552

• Carbs: 54g

• Protein: 14g

• Fat: 20g

• Sugar: 29g

• Sodium: 666mg

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🧠 Tips & Tricks

• No half-and-half? Use 1 cup heavy cream + 1 cup milk.

• Want it sweeter? Increase sugar or top with a sweet glaze after baking.

• Want it crispier? Broil for the last 1–2 minutes (watch closely!).

• Feeding a crowd? Double the recipe and bake in two pans.

• Prep hack: Mix the custard in a large measuring cup for easier pouring.

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🍓 Custom Flavor Twists

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❄️ Make Ahead & Storage

Make Ahead:
Prep it fully and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Leftovers:
Store in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Freezer Friendly:
Wrap tightly and freeze baked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge, then reheat covered in oven.

🎉 When to Serve Overnight French Toast Casserole

This casserole shines during:

• Christmas morning

• Easter brunch

• Mother’s Day

• Weekend family breakfasts

• Sleepovers or holiday guests

• Anytime you want to wake up to something delicious

It’s fancy enough to impress, but simple enough to make on repeat.

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❤️ Final Thoughts from Your Friendly Chef

There’s just something magical about waking up to breakfast already basically done. This Overnight French Toast Casserole is soft, sweet, spiced just right, and topped with that buttery cinnamon crunch that’ll have everyone going back for seconds (or thirds).

It’s not just a dish—it’s a morning moment.
It’s a little slice of joy you baked with love the night before.
It’s a way to slow down, gather around the table, and start the day off right.

So go ahead—grab that bread, whisk up that custard, and treat yourself and your people to the coziest breakfast ever.

See you at the brunch table. 🧡
— Chef Cozy

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