French Toast Bake

20 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 45 m Total: 1 h Beginner
Be the first to rate!
The ideal breakfast for Christmas morning with brown sugar, butter, eggs, and cinnamon! Easy too! Prepare the night before and pop in the oven Christmas morning. SO DELISH! Your family will sing Hallelujah!

Ingredients

20 servings
  • 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 loaf of thickly sliced bread - store bought or homemade
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Powdered sugar for sprinkling
  • Cinnamon for sprinkling

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Melt butter in microwave and add brown sugar….stir till mixed
  2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan….spread around
  3. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla
  4. Lay single slices of bread in pan on top of butter/sugar mixture
  5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer
  6. Sprinkle some cinnamon over bread/eggs
  7. Add second layer of sliced bread
  8. Spoon on remaining egg mixture
  9. Cover and chill overnight (or at least 4 hours)
  10. Preheat oven to 350°F
  11. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes (covered with foil for the first 30 minutes, then uncovered for final 15 minutes)
  12. Sprinkle with powdered sugar & cinnamon
  13. Serve with warm syrup
  14. Optional: Substitute half of the milk with eggnog for extra holiday flavor

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my French toast bake soggy?

A: Make sure to use thick-sliced bread (not thin sandwich bread) and let it soak overnight so it fully absorbs the egg mixture. Baking uncovered for the final 15 minutes helps the top crisp up.

Q: Can I make this without refrigerating overnight?

A: For best results, refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to fully soak up the custard and creates the proper texture when baked.

Tips and Techniques

Use day-old or slightly stale bread - it soaks up the egg mixture better than fresh bread. Cover with foil for the first 30 minutes to prevent over-browning, then uncover to let the top get golden and slightly crispy.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • milk: [eggnog](/recipes/eggnog/), half-and-half, or heavy cream
  • brown sugar: white sugar or maple sugar
  • regular bread: brioche, challah, or French bread

Equipment Needed

  • 9 x 13 inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk or fork
  • Aluminum foil

Historical Context

French toast casseroles became popular in the American South as a convenient way to serve French toast to a crowd, especially for holiday breakfasts and church brunches where individual stovetop cooking wasn’t practical.