Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel is the ultimate breakfast or brunch treat. Picture fluffy chunks of bread soaked in a rich custard, with a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping that adds delicious texture and flavor. This dish bakes to perfection in the oven, filling your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas that beckon everyone to the table.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

I remember the first time I tried making this special casserole for my family. It was a lazy Sunday morning, and I wanted to create something that didn’t require me to be in the kitchen fussing over pancakes or waffles. Once it came out of the oven, everyone gathered around, practically drooling, as I served each portion with a drizzle of syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar. That first blissful bite had me hooked, and no one could resist going back for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: A 20-minute prep is all you need—simply assemble the night before and let the oven do the work.
Irresistible Flavor: Each bite is a delightful blend of creamy custard, sweet cinnamon, and crunchy streusel.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Golden brown with a crumbly topping, it’s an impressive centerpiece for any meal.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a cozy nighttime snack.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapted for gluten-free or dairy-free diets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 pound loaf of sourdough or French bread: Use either type for a hearty texture. If needed, you can substitute with brioche or challah for a sweeter flavor.
8 large eggs: These are crucial for forming the custard. Room temperature eggs will incorporate more smoothly.
2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%): For a creamier texture, whole milk is preferred, but 2% works just fine.
½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream: This adds richness to the custard. You can swap it for half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative if desired.
½ cup (104g) granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard; you could substitute with coconut sugar for a different flavor.
¼ cup (36g) packed light brown sugar: This adds depth and a hint of molasses flavor.
2 tablespoons vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract is best for authentic flavor.
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: A must-have spice that brings warmth and aroma. You can also try nutmeg for a twist.
¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour: Essential for the streusel topping’s texture; gluten-free flour can be used as an alternative.
¾ cup (169g) packed light brown sugar: This gives that delightful crumble effect on your topping.
2 teaspoons cinnamon: Complement your streusel with even more cinnamon for an aromatic finish.
¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors.
½ cup (112g) butter (cut into pieces): Use cold butter for the streusel to achieve the best crumble texture.

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel

Grease your dish: Start by greasing a 9 x 13 casserole dish to prevent sticking. I find that butter or cooking spray does the trick beautifully.

Prepare the bread: Cut your loaf of bread into 1-inch chunks. Evenly distribute these in the bottom of your greased casserole dish. The bread should fill your dish nicely.

Whisk the custard: In a sizable mixing bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, ½ cup of heavy whipping cream, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract, and 1 ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Make sure it’s nice and smooth, with no egg whites left.

Combine and coat: Pour this rich mixture evenly over the chunks of bread in your casserole dish, making sure every piece is well-coated. This is where it all comes together, so don’t rush!

Chill overnight: Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for several hours or overnight. This step allows the bread to soak up all those delicious custard flavors.

Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, mix together ¾ cup of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup of packed light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Then, add in ½ cup of butter pieces. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry mixture until it forms a crumbly texture. If you prefer, you can prepare and refrigerate this streusel topping overnight as well.

Preheat your oven: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). This temperature is perfect for ensuring everything cooks evenly.

Top and bake: Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the surface of the casserole. Make sure to cover as much of the casserole as you can; this will create a lovely crunchy top. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Keep an eye on it—bake for less time for a softer, more custardy texture, or allow it to bake longer for a firmer finish.

Serve and enjoy: Once golden brown and fragrant, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm with syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh fruit if you like. Everyone will want to dig in!

Storing & Reheating

After enjoying your Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel, any leftovers can be stored at room temperature for a few hours. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container in the fridge, where it can last for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze it, cut portions and keep them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through, but keep in mind the texture might change slightly after freezing.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Make sure your bread is a day old or slightly stale for the best texture, as it soaks up the custard better.
Remember to let the eggs sit at room temperature if you can; this promotes a creamier custard.
Baking times can vary, so keep an eye on your casserole. Use a toothpick to check for doneness—if it comes out clean, it’s ready!
You can add dried fruit or nuts to the casserole for an extra flavor boost. Think raisins or walnuts for added texture.
If you want to prepare the casserole in advance, everything can be assembled the night before so it’s ready to bake in the morning.

This Overnight French Toast Casserole with Cinnamon Streusel embodies the perfect blend of cozy flavors and textures, making it a beloved choice for many occasions. It’s not only forgiving for busy mornings but also lends itself exceptionally well to creativity. Feel free to play with flavors and add-ins—this recipe is just a framework for delightful possibilities. Go on and whip it up; I can’t wait for you to enjoy this scrumptious breakfast treat!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other types of bread?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other breads like brioche, challah, or even gluten-free options if you prefer. Each type will give a unique twist to the casserole, so go ahead and use what you have on hand!

How far in advance can I prepare this dish?

You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it up to 12 hours in advance. If you’re looking to make it a day or two ahead, it’s best to prepare the bread and custard, then bake it fresh the next morning for optimal flavor.

Can I make this casserole gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free bread to make this casserole gluten-free. Just ensure that all other ingredients you choose are also gluten-free, especially the baking items.

How can I customize the flavors?

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility! Consider adding flavors like orange zest, almond extract, or even different spices like nutmeg or cardamom in the custard. For mix-ins, think chopped pecans, walnuts, fruits like apples or berries—your options are endless!