Overnight French Toast Casserole
on Jan 29, 2026
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Overnight French Toast Casserole is one of those breakfast recipes that feels special without making your morning chaotic. This version brings strong cinnamon roll energy with soft brioche soaked in a rich custard, creamy pockets of sweetened cream cheese, and a buttery cinnamon streusel that bakes up golden and crisp on top.
What really sets this casserole apart is how perfectly fluffy, delicious, and easy it is! You get that classic French toast comfort, but the pockets of cream cheese set it apart, and the streusel delivers texture so every bite stays interesting. It is easy to prep ahead, perfect for busy family mornings, and just as good for holidays or weekend brunch when you want something that looks impressive without extra effort.
Table of Contents
- 🔥 Why You’ll Love This Overnight French Toast Casserole
- 💡 Pro Tips for the Best Results
- 🤔 Substitutions and Variations
- ⏱️ Overnight or Bake Immediately?
- 🗒 Ingredients
- 🫙 Storing and Reheating Suggestions
- 🍞 More French Toast!
- ❓ FAQ
- CONNECT WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL!
- Overnight French Toast Casserole (Cinnamon Roll Topping) Recipe
🔥 Why You’ll Love This Overnight French Toast Casserole
This recipe hits the sweet spot between easy prep and big payoff. It is comforting, perfect for large crowds, and packed with cinnamon roll flavor from top to bottom.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Everything is assembled the night before, so all you have to do is bake in the morning (or bake it immediately if you didn’t plan ahead 😀).
- Cinnamon Roll Swirl Flavor: Cream cheese dollops melt into soft, sweet pockets that mimic the center of a cinnamon roll.
- Perfect Texture Balance: Soft, custardy bread underneath with a crisp cinnamon streusel on top.
- Great for a Crowd: One pan easily feeds a full table, making it ideal for holidays or guests.
- Low Stress Breakfast: No standing at the stove flipping slices while everyone is hungry.
💡 Pro Tips for the Best Results
A few minor details can take this casserole from good to really great. Here are some pointers to make sure your breakfast is tasty and lit 🔥!
- Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale brioche absorbs the custard better, but you can use fresh bread if you want to start cooking now!
- Bake Now or Later: This recipe is intended to be prepared the night before, but if you are short on time, you can bake it right away. No need to chill in the fridge if you don’t have the time (or thought) to prepare ahead.
- Spread the Cream Cheese Evenly: Smaller dollops tucked between bread cubes give you creaminess in every slice.
- Press the Bread Gently: Lightly pressing helps the custard soak through all the layers.
- Do Not Overbake: Pull it when the center is just set so it stays soft and custardy.
- Let It Rest Before Serving: A short rest helps everything set up for clean slices.
🤔 Substitutions and Variations
This casserole is easy to customize depending on your flavor preferences or what you have on hand.
- Different Bread Options: Challah or soft French bread works well if brioche is unavailable.
- Fruit Add Ins: Blueberries, diced apples, or raspberries pair perfectly with the cinnamon flavor.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra texture.
- Extra Cinnamon Roll Vibes: Finish with a simple powdered sugar icing drizzle after baking.
- Flavor Boost: A touch of orange zest or almond extract adds a subtle twist.
⏱️ Overnight or Bake Immediately?
This casserole gives you flexibility depending on your schedule. Both methods work well, but there are a few key differences worth knowing before you choose.
Overnight Method
- Custardy Texture: The bread fully absorbs the custard, creating a soft, rich center throughout.
- Even Flavor: The flavors have time to marry and come together when the casserole spends the night in the fridge.
- Cream Cheese: The cream cheese melts into smoother, more cohesive pockets.
- Easy Morning Bake: Everything is ready to go so that you can bake and serve with minimal effort.
Bake Immediately
- Bread Forward Bite: The center stays slightly firmer with more contrast between soaked and less-soaked pieces.
- More Defined Cream Cheese: Cream cheese pockets remain more noticeable, which some people prefer.
- Quicker Timeline: Perfect when you want the casserole without planning ahead.
- Still Great Flavor: The overall taste is very similar, just less infused.
How to Choose
- Best Overall Results: Choose the overnight method when time allows.
- Fast and Flexible Option: Bake immediately when you need breakfast on the table fast.
🗒 Ingredients
🫙 Storing and Reheating Suggestions
This casserole stores well and reheats easily, making it great for leftovers throughout the week. The texture stays soft and flavorful as long as it is reheated gently.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze individual portions tightly wrapped for up to 2 months.
- Microwave Reheating: Warm slices gently in short intervals to avoid drying out.
- Oven Reheating: Reheat at 300°F until warmed through for the best texture.
🍞 More French Toast!
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❓ FAQ
Yes, but it is best when chilled for at least 6 hours. Letting it sit overnight in the fridge will allow the flavors to develop more and soak into the bread completely. You will end up with a much fluffier, more delicious casserole!
Brioche is ideal because it is soft and rich, and it absorbs custard well, but challah is a great substitute.
Yes. You can assemble everything the night before, including the streusel, and bake it fresh in the morning.
The top should be golden, and the center should be set but still slightly soft. It will firm up as it rests.
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Overnight French Toast Casserole (Cinnamon Roll Topping)
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Dollops
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Casserole
- 1 loaf brioche bread, cut into cubes
- 8 eggs, large, scrambled
- 1-¾ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Cinnamon Roll Streusel Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the cubed brioche or challah evenly inside.
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Drop small dollops all over the bread cubes, tucking a few down between pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread and cream cheese dollops. Lightly press the bread so everything absorbs the mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours).
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix with a fork or your hands until crumbly.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the chilled casserole. Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes so the custard sets. Serve warm with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh berries.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
