This easy Christmas French toast bake is warm, cozy, and perfect for Christmas morning. Thick slices of bread are soaked in a sweet cinnamon-vanilla custard and baked until golden brown, creating a soft center with lightly crisp edges.
The best part is that you can assemble this breakfast casserole the night before, refrigerate it overnight, and simply bake it in the morning. That makes it an excellent choice for Christmas breakfast when you want something special without spending the whole morning in the kitchen.
Serve it warm with powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh berries, or a little whipped cream for a festive holiday breakfast the whole family will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas French Toast Bake
- Perfect for Christmas morning
- Can be prepared the night before
- Easy breakfast casserole
- Warm cinnamon-vanilla flavor
- Soft and custardy center
- Golden-brown top
- Great for feeding a family
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for holiday brunch
- Uses simple ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf brioche or French bread, about 16 ounces
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For Serving:
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Whipped cream, optional
Ingredient Notes
Bread
Brioche makes this French toast bake especially rich and tender.
A sturdy French bread or challah also works well.
Slightly stale bread is ideal because it absorbs the custard without becoming overly soggy.
Eggs
Eggs create the custard base that gives the French toast its soft, tender texture.
Milk and Cream
Whole milk and heavy cream create a rich holiday breakfast casserole.
You can use all milk if preferred, although the finished bake will be slightly less rich.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup adds sweetness and a warm flavor that works beautifully with cinnamon and vanilla.
How to Make Christmas French Toast Bake
1. Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cut the Bread
Cut the brioche or French bread into approximately 1-inch cubes.
Place the bread cubes evenly into the prepared baking dish.
3. Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Eggs
- Whole milk
- Heavy cream
- Maple syrup
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
Whisk until smooth and evenly combined.
4. Pour the Custard Over the Bread
Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes.
Gently press the bread down with a spatula or the back of a spoon so the pieces absorb the custard.
5. Add Butter
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top.
6. Chill Overnight
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
This allows the bread to absorb the custard and makes Christmas morning preparation much easier.
7. Bring to Room Temperature
Remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven preheats.
Allow it to sit for approximately 20–30 minutes before baking.
8. Bake
Remove the cover.
Bake at 350°F for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
The center should look cooked through without appearing excessively wet.
9. Rest
Remove the French toast bake from the oven.
Let it rest for approximately 10 minutes before serving.
10. Serve
Dust the top with powdered sugar.
Serve warm with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Tips for the Best Christmas French Toast Bake
Use Slightly Stale Bread
Bread that’s a little dry absorbs the custard beautifully.
If your bread is very fresh, cut it into cubes and leave it uncovered for several hours before preparing the casserole.
Don’t Skip the Overnight Soak
The longer soaking time allows the custard to reach the center of the bread.
For the best texture, refrigerate overnight.
Don’t Oversoak for Too Long
Although overnight soaking works well, avoid leaving the prepared casserole refrigerated for significantly longer than necessary because the bread can become overly soft.
Let It Rest Before Serving
A short resting period helps the custard finish setting and makes the casserole easier to cut.
Watch the Top
If the top starts browning too quickly before the center is done, loosely cover the dish with foil for the remaining baking time.
Christmas French Toast Bake Variations
Cinnamon Apple French Toast Bake
Add 1 cup finely diced apples between the bread layers before adding the custard.
Cranberry Orange French Toast Bake
Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1 teaspoon orange zest for a festive Christmas flavor.
Pecan French Toast Bake
Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans over the top before baking.
Gingerbread French Toast Bake
Add:
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
for a warm gingerbread-inspired flavor.
Chocolate Chip French Toast Bake
Sprinkle 1/2 cup chocolate chips over the bread before pouring in the custard.
How to Store Christmas French Toast Bake
Allow leftovers to cool.
Cover the baking dish tightly or transfer individual portions to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat larger portions in the oven until warmed through.
Can You Freeze French Toast Bake?
Yes.
Allow the baked casserole to cool completely.
Cut it into individual portions and wrap them tightly.
Place the portions in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months for the best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with Christmas French Toast Bake
Serve this holiday breakfast with:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Whipped cream
- Greek yogurt
- Turkey or chicken breakfast sausage
- Fresh fruit
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Christmas French Toast Bake the Night Before?
Yes.
That’s one of the best things about this recipe. Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight.
Bake it the next morning.
What Is the Best Bread for French Toast Bake?
Brioche, challah, and sturdy French bread are excellent choices.
Slightly stale bread works particularly well because it absorbs the custard without falling apart.
Can I Use Regular Sandwich Bread?
Yes, but sturdy bread generally gives a better texture.
If using regular sandwich bread, avoid soaking it for excessively long periods.
Can I Use Half-and-Half Instead of Heavy Cream?
Yes.
Half-and-half can be used in place of the heavy cream.
Why Is My French Toast Bake Soggy?
Too much liquid, very fresh bread, or underbaking can result in a soggy casserole.
Use sturdy or slightly stale bread and bake until the center is set.
Can I Make This Without Maple Syrup?
Yes.
You can replace the maple syrup with additional brown sugar or another sweetener of your choice.
Recipe Card
Easy Christmas French Toast Bake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours to overnight
Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
Total Time: About 3 hours 15 minutes, including minimum chilling
Servings: 10–12
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf brioche or French bread, about 16 ounces
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in the baking dish.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread.
- Gently press the bread down so it absorbs the custard.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before baking.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45–55 minutes, until golden and set.
- Rest for 10 minutes.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3–4 days.