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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast & Brunch

    Overnight French Toast Casserole

    Published: Sep 21, 2020 · Modified: May 11, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments Jump To Video
    Creme Brûlée French Toast Casserole — when you want a breakfast that looks ultra-fancy but need a recipe that's super easy!
    Creme Brûlée French Toast Casserole — when you want a breakfast that looks ultra-fancy but need a recipe that's super easy!
    Overnight french toast casserole

    This Overnight Creme Brûlée French Toast Bake is the perfect thing to make when you want a breakfast that looks ultra-fancy, but you need a recipe that's super easy. I love to make this overnight French toast bake for Christmas morning. I assemble it the night before, when I'm the only creature stirring. Well, whisking.

    baked french toast casserole with whipped creme and strawberries
    Top with whipped cream and berries for an extra special treat.

    You know that I'm all about clean eating and getting in my full servings of veggies. But out of the 365 days in the year, there are some days that just absolutely demand decadence. This recipe is for those days! One day won't turn you into a plump old elf, just a right jolly one. Lean protein and green leafies will be there waiting for you tomorrow.

    When I was growing up, my mom always made an Overnight Breakfast Casserole for Christmas morning, along with Cinnamon Rolls. She would prep both of these the night before, and then pop them into the oven in the morning so she could relax and enjoy opening presents with us.

    I've kicked it up a notch with this overnight creme brulee French toast! The cream and egg mixture soak into the bread in the most luscious, creamy, dreamy texture, making a custard that's absolutely incredible. It's the perfect holiday brunch recipe to enjoy at home or to take to potlucks. Just cover the pan with aluminum foil, jump in the car, and you're ready to dash away, dash away, dash away all.

    The caramel base adds just the right amount of sweetness. If the word "caramel" makes you nervous, don't you worry. It couldn't be easier to make. No candy thermometers needed! You can buy caramel sauce at the grocery store for a shortcut, but this version is so quick and delicious, you might never buy it premade again.

    Because you can make this French toast with almost any bread, it's perfect for using up all the leftover rolls from the holiday dinner the night before. Got any baguette slices left over from your dip appetizers? Throw those in, too!

    Don't forget to pin this recipe to save for later!

    baked french toast with a slice cut out

    What you're going to love about this recipe

    • It's prepared in advance. You simply bake it when you are ready to eat it.
    • It's super rich and satisfying, so one pan will feed a crowd.
    • It's easily transported to a brunch potluck.
    • Kids and adults both love it. I mean, come on, who doesn't love creme brulee?
    slice of baked french toast with powdered sugar
    A sprinkle of powdered sugar makes everything more festive.

    Recipe Notes

    Making overnight French toast is so simple, it barely needs any explanation. But here are a few tips and tricks to make sure everything goes smoothly. I don't know about you, but if I'm making something late at night after a holiday party, I want it to be quick and simple so that I can nestle all snug in my bed with visions of perfect brunch dancing in my head.

    You can make this recipe with almost any day-old bread. For the one in this picture, I used simple sliced white bread. Honestly, I've even made this with leftover hot dog and hamburger buns. That can be our secret! 🤫

    "Creme brulee" translates to "burned cream," and it is known for its crunchy torched sugar topping. If you want to get extremely extra super fancy, you can sprinkle white sugar on the top, rather than powdered sugar, and crisp it up with a butane cooking torch.

    Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole
    Creme Brulée French Toast Casserole - an easy make-ahead breakfast.

    Ingredients For Baked French Toast

    ingredients for creme brulee french toast labeled on a black counter top
    • Bread: Really, you can use any white bread to make this recipe. French bread, brioche, and challah are all good choices in this recipe. Croissants would also be fabulous.
    • Caramel Sauce: Brown sugar and butter make a quick, simple caramel sauce. I add a little maple syrup (or corn syrup) to help prevent the caramel from, you know, caramelizing--turning into thick, gummy goo.
    • Custard: Heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla are used to make a custard base that bakes up to perfection. You can swap the heavy cream for half and half or a different type of milk if you want to. Option: Add a teaspoon of Grand Marnier for next level flavor.
    • Toppings: Fresh whipped cream with berries and tossed pecans are absolutely fantastic with the creme brulee French toast.
    Creme Brulee French Toast
    No matter what kind of bread you use, this baked French toast is DELICIOUS!!!!

    How to Make French Toast Casserole

    This baked French toast recipe is a really easy make ahead breakfast casserole. It also makes a fantastic dessert. Why save all this sweetness just for a holiday breakfast? If you eat it the night before Christmas, just be sure to share it with Santa.

    Step 1: Make The Caramel Sauce

    Add the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup to a heavy saucepan. (Brown sugar and corn syrup works well, too, but that note of maple syrup is just perfect.) Heat the brown sugar mixture over medium heat and stir until the sugar is melted and the texture is smooth.

    Butter a 9x13 inch baking pan and pour the caramel sauce into it. You may need to smooth it out with a spoon to get a nice even layer at the bottom of the baking dish.

    A 9x13 inch baking dish filled with a layer caramel sauce. The first layer of creme brulee french toast

    Step 2: Layer The Bread

    You can cut your bread into small cubes, or tear it into big rustic pieces, or use slices of bread. Basically, add the bread to the bottom of the pan in whatever fashion you see fit. Squish it on in there. This is the day to eat all the carbs your heart desires.

    french bread chuncks layered in a 9x13 pan for creme brulee french toast

    Step 3: Make The Custard

    In a measuring cup or a bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, vanilla, and Grand Marnier (if you are using it). Pour the custard sauce over the sliced bread and let it soak in. Yummmmm.

    grand marnier custard for creme brulee french toast
    pour the custard over the french bread

    Step 4: Refrigerate Overnight

    Cover the baked French toast casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pan overnight. If you're in a pinch, you can refrigerate it for less time. I would probably give it a minimum of 2 hours.

    refrigerate the french toast casserole overnight

    Step 5: Bake

    In the morning, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and then bake the creme brulee French toast casserole about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it and take it out when the edges are beautiful and bubbling.

    baked french toast casserole close up of the caramel sauce

    Step 6: Serve

    To serve, use a thin spatula and scoop all the way down to the bottom of the baking pan. Flip the French toast bake over on the plate as you serve it so that the caramel base becomes the topping. Add additional toppings to your heart's content.

    Serve piping hot or at room temperature. Your guests and family will laugh when they see it in spite of themselves!

    Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good overnight bake!

    Here are some other Sweet Breakfast Recipes

    If you fell in love with this Creme Brulee French Toast Recipe, then here are a few more recipes that you are sure to love.

    • Old Fashioned Pumpkin Donuts
    • Apple Cider Donuts
    • Pumpkin Maple Oatmeal
    • Overnight Oats (Four different flavors)

    And a few more Savory Breakfast Recipes

    • Polenta Breakfast Casserole
    • Easy Veggie Frittata
    • Sausage Breakfast Casserole
    • Duck Hash
    • Paleo Breakfast Hash

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    slice of baked french toast with powdered sugar
    Favorite Saved!

    Creme Brulee Overnight French Toast

    Laura Reigel
    This is the perfect make-ahead baked French toast casserole. Overnight French toast is perfect for a weekend bunch or a busy holiday morning. Wake up and throw it in the oven — breakfast is done!
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Breakfast, Holiday
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 439 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9 x 13 baking pan
    • heavy saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 loaf white bread brioche or country-style bread

    Caramel Sauce

    • ½ cup butter
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoon maple syrup OR corn syrup

    Custard

    • 5 eggs
    • 1 ½ cups heavy cream OR half and half
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier substitute with more vanilla, if preferred
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Serve With

    • fresh berries
    • chopped pecans
    • whipped cream
    • powdered sugar
    • granulated sugar torched
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Make the Caramel Sauce: In a heavy saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and maple syrup over moderate heat. Stir until smooth. Pour into a 9x13" baking dish.
    • Layer the Bread: Cube the bread, if desired. Arrange the bread in one or more layers in the baking dish.
      Squeeze the bread slightly for a snug fit in the pan. (The number of layers you have will depend upon the thickness of your bread. Standard sandwich bread will result in two layers.)
    • Make the Custard: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, vanilla, Grand Marnier, and salt until well combined.
      Pour over the bread. Cover and bread mixture and chill for at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
    • PRO-TIP: Throw this together just before you go to bed. It will be all ready to bake for breakfast in the morning.)
    • Bake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring bread mixture to room temperature.
    • Bake uncovered in the middle of the oven until puffed and the edges are pale golden brown. 30-40 minutes.

    Video

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    This recipe was originally found in an old Gourmet magazine. It was in the 'You Asked for It' column. This dish was popularized by the Inn at Sunrise Point in Camden, Maine.
    Bread Tips: 
    White bread, French bread, brioche, or challah are the best choices for this baked French toast. 

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 439kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 10gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 528mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28gCalcium: 248mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword brunch, creme brulee, french toast
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!
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    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      February 13, 2022 at 5:17 pm

      Is it possible to chill for too long? Like I want it for dinner tomorrow but I'd like to make it tonight and chill overnight rather than wake up and make it before work.

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        February 13, 2022 at 6:17 pm

        Michelle, you can definitely chill the French toast casserole for that amount of time. I would probably draw the line at 72 hours in the fridge before baking.

        Reply

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