Description
Prepare this make-ahead French toast casserole the night before for an easy, crowd-pleasing brunch dish featuring a creamy center and a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf (1 pound) thick-cut bread, such as brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into small cubes
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange half of the bread cubes in a single layer in the prepared dish.
- Scatter the cream cheese cubes evenly over the bread layer. Top with the remaining bread cubes.
- Prepare the streusel: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and cream cheese in the baking dish, pressing down gently to soak the bread.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Remove the plastic wrap.
- Sprinkle the reserved streusel topping evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed, golden brown, and the center is set. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the last 15 minutes.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for the best texture; it absorbs the custard better without becoming mushy.
- You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream if desired.
- Serve warm with maple syrup or powdered sugar dusted on top.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 200