Weekend French Toast Casserole

Introduction

Weekend French Toast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast for family gatherings, holidays, and lazy weekend mornings. With pillowy bread bathed in a cinnamon-vanilla custard and baked until golden, this hands-off casserole delivers all the cozy flavors of classic French toast—without standing over the stove. Its crisp topping and custardy center make it a perennial crowd-pleaser.

Why This French Toast Casserole Stands Out

This recipe is all about striking the perfect balance between convenience and indulgence. By assembling everything the night before and simply baking in the morning, you get a rich, comforting breakfast with minimal a.m. effort. The combination of cream, eggs, and cinnamon creates a custard that seeps into each bread cube, while a crunchy streusel topping adds texture in every bite.

Prepping Your Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

For best results, use thick, slightly stale bread—such as brioche, challah, or French bread—cut into cubes. Using a sturdy Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet, Black to toast the bread lightly can elevate the casserole’s flavor by adding a subtle crunch. Whip the custard mixture together in a high-powered Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black for the creamiest, smoothest consistency.

Easy Make-Ahead Assembly

Lay half the bread in a buttered baking dish, pour over half of the custard, then repeat with the remaining bread and custard. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld. If you prefer a mess-free prep area, line your workspace or baking pan with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet for easy cleanup.

Perfect Baking and Finishing Touches

The casserole bakes up beautifully golden on the outside with an irresistibly soft center. For added convenience when dividing servings or storage, reach for Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup)—ideal for storing leftovers or keeping individual servings fresh.

Complete your dish with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh berries for a breakfast that looks as festive as it tastes.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 8 hearty servings, each typically clocking in around 350–400 calories, depending on your bread and toppings of choice.

Ultimate Weekend French Toast Casserole (Recap)

Weekend French Toast Casserole transforms standard breakfast into a memorable occasion, all with the help of strategic make-ahead preparation. The interplay of sweet custard-soaked bread and a crisp topping ensures this dish’s popularity with kids and adults alike.

Instructions

1. Lightly toast bread cubes using the Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet, Black for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool.
2. In a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black, blend eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
3. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet. Layer half the bread cubes in the dish, pour over half the custard, add remaining bread, then remaining custard. Gently press down so bread absorbs the mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 hours.
4. For the streusel, use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl until coarse crumbs form. Cover and chill until ready to use.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the streusel over the soaked casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 45–50 minutes or until golden and just set in the center.
6. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) in the fridge up to 3 days.
7. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup or berries as desired.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight chill)

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus overnight chill)