The Best Easy Baked French Toast Casserole (with coffee creamer)
The best easy baked french toast casserole uses flavored coffee creamer for an extra delicious result! This overnight french toast bake is perfect for simplifying your mornings while still making a special breakfast or brunch.
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At one point in time, my oldest lived on pixie dust and breakfast food.
She refused to eat anything else and would request French toast for dinner every single night.
Sometimes she switched it up a little and wanted French toast and bacon.
It’s good to walk on the wild side I guess.
We made so much French toast for months on end that we considered ourselves to be somewhat experts in French toast.
And I have to tell you stovetop French toast does not have a candle to this easy baked French toast casserole.
This easy baked French toast casserole tastes exactly like a cinnamon roll. EXACTLY.
The combo of the rich vanilla coffee creamer, brown sugar, and cinnamon make a deliciously decadent custard.
And topping the whole thing with more brown sugar and melted butter? Ohhhh yes.
Better yet?
It feels special so it would be perfect to make for Christmas morning, Easter, or any other special occasion.
Because you can make it ahead, you wouldn’t need to worry about rising and shining extra early.
Just pop it into the oven and you’re good to go.
Oh!
It would also rock as a Mother’s Day brunch meal because kids can definitely do most of the work since it’s easy and rather than cutting the bread into cubes you can have them tear it into cubes.
Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies
To make this you’ll need:
- Bread– A bakery loaf of your choosing such as Italian. Just don’t get a skinny French baguette.
- Eggs
- Flavored coffee creamer– I used vanilla coffee creamer in this but caramel, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or even hazelnut would all work well in this. Use what you like!
- Brown sugar– Definitely do not substitute white sugar. You want the deeper flavor.
- Cinnamon
- Butter– Unsalted melted butter.
Basic kitchen supplies for this include:
- 3 or 4 quart baking dish
- Bread knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Whisk
- Bowl
How to Make
1. Prepare the bread.
Cut the loaf of bread into 1 inch cubes. Put bread cubes inside a 9×13, 3 quart casserole dish that has been liberally buttered or sprayed with nonstick spray. Set the bread aside.
2. Make the custard.
In a separate bowl, beat together 6 eggs, half of the brown sugar, the creamer and 1 tbs cinnamon until thoroughly combined.
3. Assemble the casserole.
Pour over the bread evenly. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate at least 4 hours but overnight is better.
4. Bake and enjoy!
When you are ready to bake, remove from fridge, uncover, and preheat oven to 400. Melt 6 tbs of butter in the microwave and pour evenly over top of the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar evenly on top of the casserole. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
This recipe feeds a crowd and makes wonderful leftovers!
If you have leftovers, wrap them tightly in foil right in the baking dish and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or heat the whole casserole dish covered in a hot oven until warmed through.
FAQs
Should you dry out bread for French toast casserole?
Your bread should be a little on the stale side. I like to buy the bread the day prior to assembling the casserole. If you only have fresh bread, cube it, spread it out on a baking sheet and toast it in a warm oven.
Why is my French toast casserole soggy?
A few possible reasons:your bread was too fresh and not toasted or there was too much egg mixture andyou didn’t let the casserole sit long enough. The oven may have also been on too low of a temperature or perhaps you baked the casserole covered instead of uncovered
Butter or oil for French toast?
Butter! It adds flavor and richness that oil doesn’t. That’s why this casserole uses a liberal amount of melted butter, poured right on top.
What can I use instead of coffee creamer to make the custard?
Any milk you want but I recommend sticking with a higher fat milk like whole or even forgoing milk and using half and half or cream for a really rich custard.
Why does bread need to be stale for French toast?
Using stale bread lets it absorb the custard better and cuts down on extra moisture. Plus stale bread is a bit sturdier so it will hold up better and not be as soggy.
Tips and Tricks
- Older bread is a must! It helps the casserole get crispy and better absorbs the custard.
- If you are substituting half and half for the coffee creamer, add extra flavor by using a teaspoon of vanilla extract in the custard.
- Want this to feel cozier for fall? Add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice.
- For some fruity flavor, this strawberry topping, this blueberry simple syrup or these fried apples are amazing spooned on top!
- Serve it with some crispy Bacon !
Other Breakfast Casseroles and Recipes
Looking for other breakfast recipes? Try these:
- Cheesy Asparagus Frittata
- The Best Ham and Cheese Frittata (Ham and Cheese Crustless Quiche)
- Shortcut Skillet Blueberry Baked Pancake
- Cranberry Orange Baked Pancake
- Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
- Honey Nut Cheerio Pancakes
- Oven Baked Apple Pancake
- Baked Apple Oatmeal
- Cranberry Apple Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Bread Waffles
- The Best Fluffy Waffle Recipe
Did you make this? Let me know!
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Ingredients
- 1 loaf of bakery style French bread not the skinny loaves but a thicker loaf
- 6 eggs
- 1.5 c of vanilla coffee creamer
- 1/2 c brown sugar divided
- 1 tbs cinnamon
- 6 tbs melted butter
Instructions
- Cut the loaf of bread into 1 inch cubes.
- Put bread cubes inside a 9×13, 3 quart casserole dish that has been liberally buttered or sprayed with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat together 6 eggs, half of the brown sugar, the creamer and 1 tbs cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Pour over the bread evenly. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate at least 4 hours but overnight is better.
- When you are ready to bake, remove from fridge, uncover, and preheat oven to 400.
- Melt 6 tbs of butter in the microwave and pour evenly over top of the casserole.
- Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar evenly on top of the casserole.
- Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Top as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Doesn’t everyone love pixie dust? 🙂 Love the idea of adding the flavored creamer. This looks good. You’re an awesome mom!
This looks DIVINE! This would be the perfect Saturday morning breakfast!
I think my kids would love this! Can’t wait to try it out!
This looks so incredibly good!! Love how easy it is too. Definitely going to pin it for later.
We love trying new dishes for breakfast. This looks simple and so delicious!
Oh my gosh, this looks heavenly! I’ve heard of french toast casserole but this looks a lot easier than other recipes I’ve seen.
Love this!! Perfect for Sunday Brunch!! I guess we know what I am making this Sunday!!