Description
This Overnight French Toast Casserole is a decadent make-ahead breakfast dish featuring layers of brioche bread, creamy whipped cream cheese, and a rich custard. Infused with warm cinnamon and vanilla, and topped with a buttery streusel, it offers a perfectly soft, custardy center with a golden baked topping. Ideal for holiday mornings or special weekend brunches, you can customize it by adding fresh fruit, jam, nuts, or chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 (17.6-ounce) loaf brioche bread (500g), preferably pre-sliced
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces whipped cream cheese (226g)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (30g)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Add-ins (Optional)
- 1 cup fresh fruit
- 1 cup jam
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Custard
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half & half (480mL) or mixed (1 cup whole milk & 1 cup heavy cream)
- â…” cup light brown sugar (133g), packed
- ¼ cup 100% pure maple syrup (60mL)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 6 tablespoons salted butter (84g), cold and cubed
- â…“ cup light brown sugar (67g), packed
- â…“ cup all-purpose flour (44g), spooned and leveled
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare baking pan: Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick.
- Cube the bread: Cut the brioche loaf into 1-inch cubes. If pre-sliced, cut each slice into approximately 12 pieces to get uniform cubes.
- Layer bread: Place half of the bread cubes evenly in the prepared pan as the first layer.
- Make cream cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add cream cheese layer: Dollop half of the cream cheese mixture over the bread cubes in the pan using a small scoop or spoon. Then add the remaining bread cubes on top and dollop the remaining cream cheese mixture evenly over this layer.
- Incorporate optional add-ins: If using fresh fruit, jam, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips, divide them in half and layer them alternately with the cream cheese and bread. Choose either fruit or jam (not both) for best results. Nuts and chocolate chips can be combined with either or left out.
- Prepare custard mixture: Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until smooth. Add half & half, light brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla bean paste, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisk again until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Pour custard over bread: Evenly pour the custard mixture over the layered bread and cream cheese in the baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight to let the custard soak in.
- Preheat oven and press casserole: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and gently press down on it with the aluminum foil to ensure even soaking and baking. Remove the foil afterwards.
- Make topping: In a medium bowl, combine the cold cubed butter, light brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture clumps and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the soaked casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes. The casserole will be softer and more custard-like if baked for 45 minutes, and more set with less egginess if baked closer to 55 minutes.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly. Serve plain with a dusting of powdered sugar, or with additional fresh fruit, maple syrup, or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute the brioche with challah or another soft white bread for a similar texture.
- Adding fresh fruit or jam is optional but adds a lovely freshness or sweetness; do not use both together to avoid overpowering flavors.
- The casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute half & half with almond or oat milk and use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
- Adjust the baking time to your preferred texture: less time for custard-soft, more time for firmer casserole.
