Cinnamon Brioche French Toast Casserole is the perfect indulgent breakfast for any occasion. With a rich, buttery brioche bread as the base, this casserole is layered with creamy custard and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel.
It's a decadent twist on traditional French toast that will have everyone asking for seconds.
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Brioche French Toast Casserole
This simple casserole has a sweet flavor and it's a tasty make-ahead breakfast. It's perfect for special occasions such as Christmas Day or even Mother's Day. But you don't have to wait for a holiday. You can also serve it for weekend brunch!
You only need a few basic ingredients so you don't have to worry about tracking down hard-to-find or expensive ingredients at your local grocery store.
Ingredients you’ll need
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- Loaf of cinnamon brioche bread—You can swap it out for other options, such as sourdough or challah bread. They are both great for this easy French toast bake.
- whole milk, half and half or heavy cream
- powdered sugar and/or maple syrup for serving
Creative variations to try
- If you want some add some sweet flavor sprinkle some milk chocolate or semi sweet chocolate chips on top of the casserole before you store it in the fridge.
- Not a fan of nuts or have an allergy? Leave them out or even swap the pecans for chopped walnuts if you prefer.
- Make this extra special by topping it with fresh fresh. Wouldn't strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries be amazing? And finishing it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, yum!!
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Prepare the baking dish.
- Dice the bread into 1-2” pieces.
- Whisk together the eggs, salt, milk, and vanilla and melted butter.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread and mix.
- Pour the in the prepared casserole dish. Cover and refrigerate.
- The next day, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap from the casserole dish.
- Mix flour, brown sugar and chopped nuts. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake, uncovered for 45-50 minutes.
- Slice and serve with butter, powdered sugar and syrup.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Making French toast is a great way to use stale bread, however, you don't have to go through the hassle of drying it out if it's not over a day old. It will work great in this recipe either way.
The best bread to use for a French toast casserole is one that is thick and sturdy, such as brioche or challah. These types of bread have a higher egg-to-bread ratio, allowing them to hold up well when soaked in the custard mixture.
Top Tip
Try to chop your bread slices into even sized cubes so that they bake at the same rate. I like to use 1-inch cubes but you could also use 2-inch pieces if you prefer larger bites.
- Remember to spray or grease your casserole dish with room temperature or shortening to prevent it from sticking, as this breakfast casserole can get sticky.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - If you manage to have leftovers store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you don't have a lid for your casserole dish you can cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh.
Freezer - Want to save this dish for later? You can freeze it before or after baking. If freezing before baking, cover the casserole with foil and place in the freezer. When ready to bake, defrost overnight in the fridge and then follow the original baking instructions.
If freezing after baking, let the casserole cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat - To reheat, simply pop slices of the casserole into a microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
More recipes you’ll love
- This Sausage Biscuit Breakfast Casserole is another easy breakfast casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd on making on lazy mornings when you want the ultimate comfort food.
- This Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole is another easy brunch recipe that is great for holidays and special occasions like Christmas morning. You can't go wrong with this hearty make ahead dish. :
- Are looking for ways to up your breakfast game? Add this Easy Huevos Rancheros recipe to your next brunch. Your family and friends will be impressed with your breakfast skills after the first bite.
- However, if you are looking for a lighter breakfast idea that still packs a ton of flavor check out this Vegetable Frittata. It's a great way to use up any vegetables you may have on hand in the fridge.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
Yum, yum, yum! Isn't this a great casserole? I hope you really enjoyed this recipe! After you try it, let me know what you think in the comments below.
Brioche French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf cinnamon brioche bread I used a 14.1-ounce loaf of brioche bread.
- ½ cup butter melted
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1-¼ cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Butter, powdered sugar and/or maple syrup for serving.
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Dice the bread loaf into 1-2” pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, add the eggs, salt, milk, and vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add the melted butter, mix again.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread. Using a large spoon, mix so the bread is evenly coated.
- Pour the bread/egg mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate preferably, overnight (or at least 2 hours).
- The next day, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap from the casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, mix flour with ¼ cup brown sugar. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake, uncovered in the oven for 45-50 minutes.
- Remove and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Slice and serve with butter, powdered sugar and syrup.
Lois says
This is a great meal whether at breakfast or for dinner. Either way it is wonderful.
Debra Clark says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the overnight breakfast casserole!