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Overnight Brown Sugar French Toast Casserole

This Overnight Brown Sugar French Toast Casserole is soft and custardy on the inside with a caramelized brown sugar topping. Prep it the night before, bake it in the morning, and enjoy a warm, comforting breakfast with minimal effort.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 loaf French bread, cubed (day-old works best)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (or more milk)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt

Brown Sugar Topping:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp corn syrup or honey (optional, for extra caramelization)
  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • 1️⃣ Prepare the Baking Dish

    Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.Add bread cubes evenly.

  • 2️⃣ Make the Custard

    In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.Pour evenly over bread, pressing gently to soak.

  • 3️⃣ Add Topping

    Mix brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, and cinnamon.Drizzle evenly over the casserole.

  • 4️⃣ Chill Overnight

    Cover tightly and refrigerate 8–12 hours.

  • 5️⃣ Bake

    Remove from fridge and rest 20 minutes.Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes, until golden and set.

  • 6️⃣ Serve

    Let cool slightly. Serve warm with:
    Maple syrup
    Powdered sugar
    Fresh berries

Notes

🌟 Tips for Best Results
  • Use stale bread for best texture
  • Cover loosely with foil if browning too fast
  • Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
🔄 Easy Variations
  • Apple Cinnamon: Add diced apples
  • Pumpkin Spice: Add ½ cup pumpkin purée + spice
  • Cream Cheese: Add cubed cream cheese throughout
  • Pecan Praline: Sprinkle chopped pecans on top
🫙 Storage & Make-Ahead
  • Refrigerate leftovers: up to 4 days
  • Freeze baked casserole: up to 2 months