This easy cinnamon French toast casserole is a cozy make-ahead breakfast made with soft bread, creamy cinnamon custard, brown sugar, and a buttery crumb topping.
Everything is assembled in one baking dish, making it perfect for lazy weekend mornings, holiday breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or busy mornings when you want something you can prepare ahead of time.
The top becomes beautifully golden and slightly crisp while the center stays soft, warm, and custardy.
Why You’ll Love This French Toast Casserole
- Easy make-ahead breakfast
- Perfect for weekends and holidays
- Warm cinnamon flavor
- Soft, custardy center
- Golden buttery topping
- Great for family breakfasts
- Easy to prepare the night before
- Perfect for brunch gatherings
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 large loaf brioche or French bread, cut into cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For Serving
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream, optional
How to Make French Toast Casserole
1. Prepare the Bread
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cut the bread into approximately 1-inch cubes.
Brioche works especially well because it is soft, rich, and slightly sweet.
If your bread is very fresh, spread the cubes onto a baking sheet and let them sit uncovered for 30 to 60 minutes.
Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard better.
2. Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Whisk until everything is well combined.
3. Assemble the Casserole
Place the cubed bread into the prepared baking dish.
Pour the cinnamon custard evenly over the bread.
Use a spatula or your hands to gently press the bread down so the pieces absorb the custard.
Make sure there aren’t large dry pieces of bread remaining on top.
4. Make the Cinnamon Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the cold cubed butter.
Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Don’t completely melt the butter.
Small pieces of butter help create a delicious crumbly topping.
5. Add the Topping
Sprinkle the cinnamon crumble evenly over the soaked bread.
At this point, you can bake the casserole immediately or cover it and refrigerate it overnight.
6. Bake
Bake uncovered for approximately 40 to 50 minutes.
The top should become golden brown and slightly crisp.
The center should be set but still soft and moist.
If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with aluminum foil.
7. Rest and Serve
Allow the casserole to rest for approximately 10 minutes.
Dust the top with powdered sugar.
Serve warm with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Can I Make French Toast Casserole the Night Before?
Yes, and this is one of the best things about this recipe.
Assemble the bread and custard in the baking dish.
Cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight.
Keep the crumb topping separate and refrigerate it in a small airtight container.
In the morning, sprinkle the topping over the casserole and bake.
If the casserole is going directly from the refrigerator into the oven, it may need a few additional minutes of baking time.
What Is the Best Bread for French Toast Casserole?
Several types of bread work well.
Brioche
Rich, soft, and slightly sweet. This is my favorite.
French Bread
Creates a slightly firmer texture and absorbs plenty of custard.
Challah
Excellent for a rich, fluffy casserole.
Sourdough
Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Croissants
For an extra indulgent version, use day-old croissants.
Tips for the Best French Toast Casserole
Use slightly stale bread. It absorbs more custard without becoming completely mushy.
Cut the bread evenly. Similar-sized pieces help the casserole cook consistently.
Don’t rush the soaking process. Give the bread enough time to absorb the custard.
Use cold butter for the topping. This creates a better crumb texture.
Don’t overbake. The center should remain soft and tender.
Let it rest before serving. This helps the custard set.
How Do I Know When It’s Done?
The top should be golden brown and the center should look set rather than liquid.
If you gently shake the baking dish, the center should have a slight jiggle but shouldn’t look wet.
You can also insert a knife into the center.
It should come out mostly clean with some moist crumbs.
Easy Variations
Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Add 1 to 2 cups of peeled diced apples to the bread before pouring in the custard.
Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Add fresh or frozen blueberries between the bread cubes.
Strawberry French Toast Casserole
Add sliced strawberries just before baking or serve fresh strawberries on top.
Pecan French Toast Casserole
Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the cinnamon topping.
Banana French Toast Casserole
Add sliced bananas between the bread cubes.
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Add pumpkin puree and extra cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for a fall-inspired version.
What to Serve With French Toast Casserole
This casserole is delicious with:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Whipped cream
- Greek yogurt
- Chopped pecans
- Walnuts
- Caramel sauce
For a holiday brunch, serve it with fresh berries and warm maple syrup.
Can I Use Dairy-Free Milk?
Yes.
Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or another milk alternative can replace the whole milk.
For a richer result, use a dairy-free cream alternative as well.
Can I Make It Less Sweet?
Yes.
Reduce the granulated sugar in the custard to 1/4 cup.
You can also skip the powdered sugar and simply serve the casserole with a small amount of maple syrup.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the casserole to cool completely.
Cover the baking dish tightly or transfer individual portions to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.
For a crispier top, place the casserole in a 350°F oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I Freeze French Toast Casserole?
Yes.
Allow the baked casserole to cool completely.
Cut it into individual portions and wrap them tightly before placing them in a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular sandwich bread?
Yes, although brioche, French bread, or challah will give the casserole a richer texture.
Why is my French toast casserole soggy?
The bread may have been too fresh, the casserole may have contained too much custard, or it may have been underbaked.
Using slightly stale bread helps significantly.
Can I make this without heavy cream?
Yes. Replace the heavy cream with additional whole milk.
The casserole will be slightly lighter.
Can I add nuts?
Absolutely. Pecans and walnuts are especially good with cinnamon.
Can I use frozen berries?
Yes. Add them directly to the casserole without thawing.
Can I make individual portions?
Yes. Divide the bread and custard between greased ramekins and reduce the baking time.
Recipe Card
Easy Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Ingredients
Casserole
- 1 loaf brioche or French bread
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons cold butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cut bread into 1-inch cubes.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Add bread to the baking dish.
- Pour custard evenly over the bread.
- Gently press bread into the custard.
- Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping.
- Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle topping over the casserole.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
- Rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve warm with powdered sugar, berries, and maple syrup.
Final Thoughts
This cinnamon French toast casserole is the kind of breakfast that makes an ordinary morning feel like a special occasion.
I especially love preparing it the night before. In the morning, all that’s left to do is add the buttery cinnamon topping and pop it into the oven.
The warm cinnamon aroma fills the kitchen while the top becomes golden and crisp and the center stays soft and custardy.
Serve it with fresh berries and maple syrup, and you’ve got an easy breakfast everyone will want seconds of.
From my kitchen to yours, enjoy! ❤️
— Mary